Billionaire's Broken Marriage

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er of hope. Maybe it was Matheo calling to talk to her. She forced herself up and walked to the study, h

there?" a hurried voice asked. The

her tone flat and resigned. She was ready to end the call and retreat b

h, is that wha

hat supposed to mean?" she asked, her voice barely above

d almost hear the gears turning in Dereck's mind as he realized

er mind racing. She wanted to shout, "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" into the dead line, to curse and scream to

back and somewhere close, likely with Iris. The thought of them together, preparing for another function, wh

the floor. She wrapped her arms around herself, as if trying to hold the pieces of her shattered heart toget

How had it all come to this? The man who had once showered her with love and attention now treated her like an after

come to his senses and realize what he was losing. But now, the final thread of that hope had snapped. He was with Iris, and th

ne a testament to the pain and betrayal she felt. She had given everything to

st celebrities and wealthy business tycoons, those who could effortlessly spend a few meager millions on bite-sized hors d'oeuvres while networking and discussing business. For men like Matheo, this was where deals were made, alliances forme

ly take precedence over his relentless ambition. But the brief, revealing comment from Dereck on the phone had shattered that illusion. "Is that what he told you?" Those wo

nsisted on attending the gala with him. He would have had to endure her presence, her attempts to reclaim some semblance of her place in his life, and the inevitable fight that would follow. Matheo didn't want

reserved for him and his beloved Iris. The memory of the last time there had been such a gala was still vivid. She had begged and fought with him to let her

the night had been a cruel reminder of her insignificance in Matheo's world. She had been ignored, left to stand on the sidelines while Matheo and Iris dominated every conversation, their chemistry undeniable, their partnership unbreakabl

ch like the St. Anthony Gala, but this time she had fought tooth and nail to be there. She had convinced herself that attending such events was crucial to

erfection. When Matheo had finally agreed to take her, albeit reluctantly, her heart had soared with hope. Maybe, just maybe, this

lroom. The room was filled with Sydney's elite, people who exuded confidence and sophistication. Matheo had introduced her to several of h

flowing smoothly around business ventures and market trends. Colette had listened intently, trying to absorb as much as she could.

th what she had hoped was a charming anecdote.

ssing down like a physical force. She realized too late that she had made a grave mistake. The Giotto they were discuss

arly, Mrs. Angelis is joking," Iris had said, her tone dripping with condescension. A few others join

ame, her eyes stinging with unshed tears as she met the gaze of the people around her. She coul

had excused herself as soon as she could, fleeing to the bathroom where she locked herself in a stall and let the tears flow. She sat there, hunch

rged, she made a silent vow to keep her mouth shut for the rest of the night. Matheo must have sensed her fragility because he didn't let h

way he interacted with her afterward, the subtle shift in his demeanor. He never offered to take her to any of his business

he could have done differently. Each time, the pain was as fresh as if it had just happened. She had wanted so desperately to be part of Ma

admired. Meanwhile, Colette would be here, in this cold, empty house, a prisoner of her own despair. The realization was suffocating, t

de no move to wipe them away. What was the point? The man she had loved with all her heart, the man she had trusted implicitly, had

he gala with Iris without his "stupid, unreasonable" wife demanding to be take

first time he had taken her to such events. The thought made Colette's stomach churn. But tonight, something snapped inside her. The dead flower of her heart, long withered from neglect and betray

at was the case, then tonight, she would be the epitome of sex. She would get ready to seduce him

as the whore, he