Chapter 3

"Honey, you bumped my knee so hard in the office today it's all bruised. How are you going to make it up to me?"

"When are you planning to divorce that cripple? I'll give you three days to come clean with her, otherwise I won't agree to go to that outdoor spot with you."

"Honey!"

"My dear husband."

"Honey~ My sweet husband~"

The contact name "Beloved" left me in a daze for a long time.

Cian had always saved my name as just my name. He never called me "darling."

When I first called him "honey," he was upset for a whole day. Later he explained it was because he felt embarrassed.

Since then, I've only called him by his name. His love for me was never stingy, so maybe he really just wasn't used to pet names. I didn't think much of it.

Now I see that in his heart, Grace is his true wife.

He's also willing to indulge Grace constantly calling him "honey."

Cian brought an ice pack to put on my face.

"Your face is already like this, why do you still care about him?"

He said it's different, he's afraid I'm in pain.

I wanted to laugh. If he was afraid of my pain, how could he find it in his heart to rip out my nails, break my legs, and cut my face?

This husband who treats me so tenderly leaves me feeling completely torn. Before going to bed, Cian said:

"Vivienne, Grace is back."

I clenched my fist. Was he going to come clean?

Well, as long as he divorces me and gives me some money, that's fine.

"Don't be upset. I wanted to tell you that her husband bankrupted her family. She has nowhere else to go, so she had to come to me."

"Now that your leg has healed, I've arranged for a celebration party. It can also serve as a welcome for Grace. After all, you two are best friends, aren't you?"

How ridiculous. He wants to welcome his beloved, but uses the best friend excuse as a cover.

I replied halfheartedly, "Whatever you want."

On the day of the party, the business elites gathered.

They all brought lavish gifts.

When they saw Grace by Cian's side, they all flocked over to congratulate them.

"So this must be Mrs. Prescott. No wonder Mr. Prescott has been keeping such a precious gem hidden away all these years. Now that we've seen Mrs. Prescott's grace and beauty, I wouldn't want anyone else to see her either..."

"Mr. and Mrs. Prescott are such a heavenly couple. It makes us bachelors quite envious." Cian wanted to say "she's not," but Grace had already linked her arm with his.

"During these years of my disability, I'm so grateful that he never left my side. I even urged him to marry someone else, but he refused, staying deeply in love with me."

Cian's face darkened visibly, while others chimed in:

"Word on the street is that Mr. Prescott cherishes his wife like a treasure. Now we can see it's truly well-deserved."

With a beauty like Grace by his side, everyone was praising Cian to the skies.

Finally, Cian put his arm around Grace's waist:

"I hope everyone's enjoyed the food and entertainment here today. If you need anything, please come to me. My Mrs. Prescott has just recovered and shouldn't be bothered."

Originally, Cian was waiting for me to come out so he could announce my identity to everyone.

When I was truly ready, he was arm-in-arm with Grace, introducing her as Mrs. Prescott.

Cian had gone to entertain other guests, and Grace noticed me standing dumbfounded on the side.

She walked over, linking arms with me in greeting:

"Vivienne, it's been three years. Do you still remember me?"

"Didn't you say we were best friends? Why are you doing this to me?" I slapped her hand away, and her gentle smile immediately vanished.

"Are you talking about what just happened? Cian has always been my boyfriend," she enunciated each word slowly. "You're the homewrecker."

"Nonsense! He and I only got together after you two broke up."

Perhaps I was still lost in the memory of Cian's sincere love, forgetting that our marriage was just a result of his spite.

Grace reminded me once again.

"Why are you covering your face? Do you know how you became disabled? It's because he looked at you once, and I didn't like it. I told him to ruin you, and he did exactly as I said."

She laughed mockingly at me: "He ruined you, then saved you, and now you love him like your life depends on it. You're. Such. A. Cheap. Whore."

A resounding smack landed on her face.