Chapter 4

Jessica's piercing voice cut through the ambient chatter, her words dripping with venom. "Are you aware of what people are saying, you simpleton?" The malice in her tone made me feel ill, and her smug expression only amplified the impact of her cruel words.

"Is it your belief that bringing Scott to such an event will somehow secure your position as his spouse?" she taunted, her voice laced with derision.

She let her words linger, relishing their effect. "The consensus here is that you're undeserving of him. How do you intend to address that?"

That was the breaking point.

My composure crumbled, and I felt tears forming. I pushed her away gently, just enough to create some distance between us. I couldn't bear her proximity.

Unexpectedly, Jessica lost her footing and fell, her usually poised demeanor momentarily faltering. She winced slightly, as if trying to conceal her discomfort.

"Jessica!" one of her companions exclaimed, rushing to assist her.

She then turned her wrath towards me, shoving me forcefully enough to make me stagger.

"You're out of your mind!" she snarled. "Jessica was merely trying to help you relax, and this is how you respond? It seems you're not just dim-witted, but downright malicious!"

The push caught me off guard, and I lost my balance. My hip struck the corner of the coffee table, sending a jolt of pain through my abdomen. Before I could regain my footing, I felt a warm trickle down my leg. A surge of fear washed over me as I realized what was happening.

At that moment, a familiar voice cut through the chaos. "What in the world is going on here?"

Through tear-filled eyes, I saw Scott. A mix of relief and shame overwhelmed me.

"Scott, I..." I began, my voice quavering.

But before I could continue, Jessica's friend interjected, pointing an accusing finger at me.

"Look at Jessica!" she exclaimed. "Your wife pushed her! Jessica was only trying to be helpful, and this is how she's treated?"

She turned to Scott, indignant. "What were you thinking, bringing her here? You know this is Jessica's first event since her return. Are you trying to embarrass her by allowing this fool to ruin the evening?"

I glanced at Jessica, who now had tears welling up in her eyes, giving her an air of innocence. Her voice was soft, almost beseeching.

"Scott, it's alright," she said, gesturing dismissively. "Nadia didn't mean it. I wasn't standing properly, and it's understandable for someone like her to feel overwhelmed."

Jessica looked directly at me, her tone oozing false sympathy. "Please, don't be upset with her. She didn't intend any harm."

Scott hurried to Jessica's side, helping her up, his face etched with worry. His hand lingered on her arm as he ensured she was steady.

Then he turned to me, his expression changing. His brow furrowed, his jaw clenched, and his voice was filled with exasperation.

"Nadia! I was gone for just a moment! What's gotten into you?" he barked. "Why must you always create a spectacle when things don't go your way? You're so obstinate!"

His words felt like a blow to my chest. The humiliation, the pain, and now Scott's anger—it was overwhelming. My voice broke as I tried to explain.

"I didn't—! They were tormenting me!" I said, my words tumbling out hastily. "Jessica said I wasn't worthy of you. She called me a simpleton!"

I turned to Scott, my eyes imploring. "They were the ones attacking me, not the other way around!"

Before I could continue, Jessica's voice, soft and pitying, interrupted. "Nadia, how can you tell such lies?" she said, her eyes wide with feigned hurt. "Everyone was simply eager to meet you. No one said anything unkind."

She let out a small sigh, shaking her head. "And as for me? I'd never insult you like that. With all these people present, everyone heard what I said. I was only trying to help."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd, the whispers growing louder with each passing moment.

"Exactly! Look at her, throwing fits and fabricating stories."

"Jessica was nothing but gracious to her, and this is how she's repaid? What a disaster."

"She's not just dim-witted—she's downright dangerous. Poor Scott, having to deal with her."

Scott's expression darkened further, his jaw clenched tight.

"Enough!" he snapped, his voice silencing the whispers around us.

He turned to me, his eyes blazing with anger. "Nadia, stop it! Just stop! I've had enough of this today. I always thought while you might not be the brightest, at least you were kind-hearted and genuine. But this?" He gestured to the scene around us. "This is simply unacceptable. For the past month, what has Jessica done to you to warrant this kind of treatment?"

I stared at Scott, disbelief washing over me like a tidal wave.

Just as I opened my mouth to explain, he cut me off, his voice cold and unyielding. "Apologize to Jessica. Regardless of what happened, there's no justification for your behavior." His tone sharpened, each word stinging like a slap. "You're not exactly intelligent, and everyone's been overlooking things because of that. But that doesn't give you license to act however you please."

He paused, glaring at me with frustration etched across his face. "Ever since Jessica returned, you've been misbehaving in every way imaginable. I've been treating you like a child, letting things slide. But today? You're going to apologize."

My head spun as his words crashed over me. It felt like the ground beneath me had vanished, leaving me free-falling into an abyss. My stomach twisted with pain, but I forced myself to meet his gaze.

"Scott," I said, my voice trembling but resolute, "do you view me as a child? Or as your spouse?"

I took a shaky breath, my hands clenched at my sides as I added, "They all refer to Jessica as your 'lost love.' Tell me honestly—is that accurate?"

I felt my chest constrict as I pressed on. "Even if I'm not the most intelligent person here, even if I'm a fool, I know one thing: as your wife, I should be your priority."

For a moment, I saw a flicker of guilt cross Scott's face, like a crack in his otherwise impenetrable facade. But before he could respond, someone else in the room gasped loudly.

"She... she's bleeding!"

"Oh my God, is she expecting?"