Chapter 1

• ALEXANDRA
• “Finally all your efforts and support will now pay off!” Nina, my best friend says as she helps me zip up my dress.
• I smile so hard my cheeks hurt. My husband’s company is finally enlisting and so many investors are lining up to get a share. Tonight is the official launch and I can't help but be anxious.
• “I hope nothing goes wrong!” I mumble, feeling a coil in the pit of my stomach.
• “Girl, can you stop being so negative? You've given Jack not only ten years but also all the money your parents left you. Enjoy tonight, we both know none of this would have been possible without you!” My best friend says as she zips my dress.
• I laugh softly, feeling my cheeks warm, “Nina, you're too sweet. I merely did what any wife would do.”
• “I would never give a man money but we are all different! Here, put these on, don't want you to be late, didn't you say Jack will be coming to pick you up?”
• “Yes he will. Let me try to call him.” I grab my phone to try his line but it takes me straight to voicemail.
• “It's off? Doesn't he know he has to pick up his wife?” Nina asks.
• My best friend happens to be my husband's biggest critic. As much as I love her, sometimes it can be annoying.
• Especially tonight. But since I want peace,
• I simply shake my head at her, “Calm your tits Nina. Maybe he's avoiding calls since so many people want to talk to him, besides, I already gave him your address so he should be here soon!”
• “Okay then. Come, we can have a glass of wine each to calm the nerves.” Nina grabs my hand but I shake my head as I follow her down the stairs.
• “You know I don't drink!”
• “Then come have a glass of water or whatever shit people who don't drink wine have.” She laughs, and I join her.
• But in the pit of my stomach, I'm slowly starting to feel unease.
• Did Jack forget about me?
• No. He wouldn't. This morning he told me he's excited about tonight and would personally pick me up.
• He promised the world would finally know that I'm his wife.
• A double blessing wrapped in one.
• Nina and I sit for two hours but nothing changes. I don't receive any calls and no one comes through.
• I begin to pace the living room in my heels, clutching my purse tightly as I try not to smudge my makeup with the anxious sweat on my brow.
• “He said he won't be late.” I mutter, more to myself than to Nina.
• Nina glances at her phone and then at me, her glossed lips pressing into a thin line.
• “Maybe he got caught up at the venue.”
• “Or maybe something happened.”
• “Do you want me to drive you to the venue, we check it out?” She asks and I nod, my fast beating heart increasing the rate.
• “Yes please.”
• Nina grabs her car keys from the table and gives me a smile,
• “Come on. I’ll drive you.”
• The ride to the venue is mostly quiet as we are both deep in our thoughts. I keep fixing my hair, adjusting the neckline of my dress, and checking my phone hoping for it to ring magically.
• When we finally pull up at the venue, my breath gets caught in my throat.
• It's beautiful.
• I made sure to book the most expensive hotel and it has surely paid off. At the entrance is a grand banner that reads:
• [JACKSON & CO OFFICIAL LAUNCH]
• The media lights are flashing nonstop as I look around for anyone familiar.
• “Your husband looks just fine to me.” I hear Nina speak at my side and I almost jump in my seat.
• “Where is he?” Excitement grows and grows as I follow Nina's gaze only to drop faster than a bomb.
• “He's over there being cozy with….wait.
• ..Isn't that bitch he’s holding Mia? Don't tell me he didn't pick you up because he was taking photos with her!”
• Nina’s words land like a slap, but I can't tear my eyes away. Because she's right. Right before my eyes is my husband.
• Dressed in the navy tux I bought for him.
• He’s standing beneath the lights, smiling and it's not the polite kind, but the one that reaches his eyes.
• A smile of adoration.
• The one I haven't seen being directed at me.
• Ever!
• His arm is wrapped around Mia's waist like she is the one he married and not me.
• He told me he was over his first love. The very woman who left him when he had nothing only to show up today?
• I stare at them, frozen and unable to move a limb. Reporters crowd around them, cameras flashing as compliments fly their way.
• He never posed or held me in public like this before.
• Not even in private.
• Nina’s hand grips my arm. “We’re going down there. I don’t care who sees-”
• “No.” My voice is hoarse, barely audible, but firm. I blink the sting from my eyes and shake my head. “Not here. The media’s everywhere.”
• “Alex, he’s parading her for crying outloud! like you don’t exist!”
• I force a laugh but it comes out shaky and broken,
• “They're just posing for pictures, Nina. It's not a big deal.”
• “Don’t start lying to yourself now.”
• “Maybe… maybe she’s here as an investor.” I keep my voice even, though each word feels like I’m swallowing glass. “She comes from money. He probably wanted to impress her so she could pump in some cash. That’s all.”
• Nina stares at me like I’ve lost my mind.
• I give her a smile. “You go ahead, I'll be okay.”
• “Are you sure?” She asks, in a worried tone.
• “I am.” I give her a smile. “Go on.”
• I step out of her car and walk to the entrance of the hotel. Jack meets my gaze and I expect a reaction from him.
• Guilt.
• Regret.
• Anything.
• But instead, he simply breaks eye contact and walks inside with Mia clinging to his arm.
• My heart shatters into a thousand tiny pieces. He said the world would finally know I’m his wife tonight. But Instead, they’re seeing something else.
• “Excuse me ma'am, can I see your invitation card?” A gentleman in a black suit and a white earpiece stops me at the door.
• Invitation card?
• “I don't have one. I'm the one who organized the event.” I respond in a clipped tone.
• “What is your name?” The man asks as he scrolls through the tablet in his hand.
• “Alexandra Smith.”
• The man looks at me with detest like I just interrupted his favourite dish, “You know it's really rude to lie especially when we are extremely busy!” His voice turns ice cold.
• “What do you mean? I just told you-”
• “Ma'am, if you have no invitation just leave before I ask someone to drag you out!”