BETRAYED BY MY HUSBAND NOW HIS TWIN WANTS ME

Chapter 5

Vivian’s Pov

“I will take this one, I think I like it,” I announced, forcing a cheerful mask.

“Okay, Mrs. Blacksmith. Please, we can proceed with the payment,” Mr. Alex, the leasing agent, replied.

I handed him my debit card.

“Sorry, Ma’am, but the card declined. Apparently, it’s saying blocked,” he reported, his brow furrowed.

“Blocked?” The word echoed in the small office, leaving me in total, stupid confusion.

This was the account Frank had set up for me right after we married, fixed on automatic monthly credit. I rarely used the funds because he generally provided everything I needed back when his head was still on straight, not now that he was acting like a possessed prick.

I had been planning to use that money to secure a mini-flat, but the bastard knew I would be desperate for cash. He had preemptively blocked the account. What was I supposed to do now? He’d boasted he would ensure I didn't survive out here, but I hadn't thought he would move this fast.

“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Blacksmith. Do you have any other option?” Mr. Alex asked, his face radiating genuine pity.

“Well, here. Try this one.” I handed him my other card, the one I’d held onto the longest. I often transferred small amounts into it because this account was solely in my name.

It was as if some deep, primal instinct had foreseen this day; I had prepared for the worst without even realizing it.

“Enjoy your stay here,” Mr. Alex said as he left.

Finally. I could shower and relax. The amount of stress I'd endured was too much for one person to bear. I had cried my eyes out all night, but now, I swore I wouldn’t shed another tear for a marriage that was clearly never real.

Get it together, Vivian. You’ve got this. I spoke the words to the trembling reflection in the mirror. He’s the one who f****d up, not you.

Yet, even with that fierce internal affirmation, why did the pain still slice so deep? I couldn’t stop the mental loop. No matter how hard I tried to convince myself that this mess wasn't my fault, I couldn’t silence the self-blame. Maybe if I had been the perfect wife... Maybe if I was sexier, like Mary... Just maybe my marriage wouldn't be in ruins right now.

I had put my entire life on hold for him. I would have been a top Data Analyst today, but he stopped me, arguing it wouldn’t look proper for a man of his standing to have his wife work. I was so stupid, or perhaps just too blindingly in love. I hadn't even bothered to ensure assets were bought in my name. Everything Frank acquired was in his name. At first, I saw no issue; we were one, so why split names?

And now, here I was, back to absolute zero. No property, no achievement, nothing of my own. The only thing I could look back on with happiness and zero regret was Bella. She was my consolation in this marriage that had turned into a cruel joke.

I couldn’t wait for the divorce to be finalized. At least a settlement would give me a foundation to rebuild. I’d always wanted to live in New York, maybe this was the perfect time. I could go with my daughter.

I hate my life right now. Even separated, my future would still be tethered to that fool because of Bella. I would still have to see his ugly face every time.

I needed to eat something before I developed an ulcer. I hadn't been able to stomach anything since last night.

**********

I was dragging my trolley, picking up the few essential items I would need.

“Hi, Vee.”

I spun around. The only person who dared call me that was Mary. I used to love the nickname, now, hearing it from her mouth felt like filth.

“Are you stalking me?” I snapped, my mood instantly curdling with rage.

“Stalking you?” Mary giggled, the sound light and infuriating. “Oh, please, Vee, We just happened to be in the same place by coincidence.”

“Move out of the way,” I hissed, my voice low but vibrating with suppressed fury.

“Well, since fate brought us together, I have something to tell you,” she continued, undeterred.

“Shut your gutter of a mouth up! I don’t want to hear any rubbish from you! You ruined my life, b***h!”

“Oh, Vee, I didn’t ruin your life. I only helped you,” she countered sweetly. “Would you have preferred he was f*****g an outsider? At least I get to be your daughter’s stepmother.”

“Don’t you dare get close to my daughter, you psychopathic b***h!”

“Look, Vee, I’m not here to exchange words with you. You were my best friend, and I still respect what we shared,” she said, her expression hardening slightly. “Frank was never truly yours from the start, and deep down, you know it.”

“You must be utterly insane! What do you mean he was never mine? You are completely unhinged!” I yelled.

“Insult all you want. This is the problem I have with you—always feeling too important, always projecting that you are Mrs. Perfect, that no wrong could ever come from your side. That’s why you lost him. Because you won’t accept that your marriage ended because of you,” she spat, landing the final, vicious blow.

“Me? Mrs. Perfect? When have I ever acted superior? You are truly crazy! You’re just a jealous b***h! I won't let you blame me for your own evil!”

“Well, if not for anything, then for the friendship we once shared, just know this: Frank is coming hard for you. He won’t rest until he sees your flat ass on the floor. And as for your daughter, don’t worry, I will treat her like a mother. Just don’t piss me off any further,” Mary finished, turning and sauntering away.

I stood there, surrounded by shelves of groceries, trying to process the venomous exchange. I hadn’t known Mary was capable of this monstrous cruelty. I had trusted her, treated her like a sister. No, I wouldn’t stand here and blame myself for something I didn't do. Mary wasn't a friend; she had been a parasite, fueled by hidden jealousy. She hung around, waiting for the easy opportunity to get close to Frank.

Here is the rewritten part, focusing on that dramatic reveal:

Stupid me. I trusted too much, and that was a weakness I absolutely had to fix. With everything she had just told me, I knew I needed to get ready for Frank’s attack. That blocked card was already a big, fat warning sign.

I rushed out of the store, my head spinning. How did my life get so messy? What was I supposed to do now? Everything happened so fast; I didn't even have time to fix anything. This fight is going to be brutal, I know that much.

I was so lost in my head, I didn't even see the car suddenly slam its brakes right in front of me. Everything went by in a flash, and the next thing I knew, I was on the floor with all my shopping scattered everywhere.

Then, a guy stepped out of the car.

I could only see his feet at first. He was wearing the most expensive shoes I had ever seen—not just expensive, but the kind that scream "I own three islands and a jet." I swear, the leather was shining like a mirror.

I followed the line of those shoes up. He was wearing a custom-made suit, the kind of dark gray that just oozes money. It fit him perfectly, not a single wrinkle. Everything about his outfit screamed stinking rich.

And then I saw his face. My breath caught right in my throat.

He was stunningly handsome. Like, the kind of guy who shouldn’t exist in real life. At this point, I seriously thought I must be seeing things—maybe I was hallucinating from the shock of the fall.

“Hey, are you okay? I almost ran you over! What were you thinking, walking out without looking?”

The way he spoke, I knew it wasn't Frank. Frank would have definitely run me over and reversed, given the chance.

“I… I…” I stuttered.

“It’s okay,” he said, holding out a hand to help me up.

I still couldn't believe what I was looking at.

“Are you real?” I asked. The words just slipped out before I could stop them.

“Pardon?” he said. “Where exactly are you heading? I could drop you off if you don’t mind.”

Speechless. That’s all I could manage right then. I totally lost my ability to talk. All I did was point in the direction I was going.

He helped me gather all the stuff that had fallen out of the bags. I just stood there, stiff as a wooden plank.

“Forgive my bad manners. My name is Fedrick.”