Bounded by His Betrayal

CHAPTER 1

Julie’s pov

I sat at the dining table, my fingers tracing the delicate lace of the tablecloth. William Sinclair, my husband sat across from me. I couldn’t help but remember the harsh words he said to me earlier.

Flashback

William stared at the pregnancy test result that read NEGATIVE for the umpteenth time, his eyes were filled with so much hate and disgust. I completely forgot to put it in the trash can because I was preparing for today’s event.

“You have just one job Julie, one job ... .To give me an heir, but you can’t do it” William said in a sharp disappointed voice. I stood there, staring at him, tears threatening to fall from my eyes.

I’ve been married to William for three years. The first year was good but the consecutive years were filled with constant shame and humiliation. We’ve been trying for a child but the result always reads the same word, NEGATIVE. We went to the gynecologist and she said I was infertile.

“You are just a gold-digging b***h with nothing to offer” William’s cold gaze pierced my heart even more. I looked at the man who was my first love, the man I cared about, and all I could see in his eyes was hate and resentment.

“I’m sorry, I…I-“

“I don’t want to hear anything anymore” he held his hand up in dismissal. “Let me make one thing clear Julie, your time in this house is ticking and it is very limited. Let this sound as a warning”

End of flashback

My heart felt like a heavy stone in my chest, the heavy weight of my loveless marriage bearing down on me.

Today was the dinner for the announcement of the new CEO of the Sinclair group, one of the most famous enterprises in LA, to take over the affairs of the group.

Justin Sinclair, the original CEO, William’s grandfather was getting ready to make the announcement. William sat across from me and his cold demeanor towards me was noticed by everyone on the table.

Everyone at the table stared at me, their eyes gleaming with disdain.

“I heard she’s infertile,” someone whispered. I could hear their gossip from beside me.

I grew accustomed to their constant ridicule, the whispers behind my back, and the hostility they gave me every time. I had failed to give William an heir, a child to carry on the Sinclair family name and for that, I was unforgivable in their eyes.

“Welcome William Sinclair, the new CEO of the Sinclair group” The applause grew loud echoing in the room.

William stood up, the legs of the chair scraping the marble floor. He raised his glass, commanding the room’s attention.

“Ladies and gentlemen” William began, his voice booming with authority. “Thank you for joining us tonight. As you all know the family has always been dedicated to excellence and leadership….” He began his speech.

“I would like to make an important announcement” My heart began racing in my chest. I had a feeling that whatever he was about to announce wouldn’t be good news to me.

“Please welcome Amanda”. William continued, a smile spreading across his face. I felt the blood drain from my face as Amanda entered the room.

I recognized her immediately, William’s ex-girlfriend and the person who bullied me in high school. She left the country four years ago to further her studies, why did she come back?

She is everything I’m not- beautiful, poised, and most importantly, pregnant. The swell of her belly was obvious and a cruel reminder of my inadequacies.

Amanda took her place beside William, her hand resting possessively on his arm. The room erupted in applause but I remained frozen in my seat, my mind racing.

“Amanda and I are expecting a child. Our future is bright and we are thrilled to share this news with all of you”. I felt like I was drowning, all the air was expelled from my lungs like I was punched in the gut.

The applause grew louder, echoing in my ears like a cruel taunt. My fists clenched under the table, my nails digging into my palm. The pain was a distraction from the humiliation that burned me.

I wanted to scream, to demand answers but it would be futile. I tried my best to force myself to breathe and to maintain composure but it was a losing battle.

“Julie,” William said, turning his attention to me. “Aren't you going to congratulate us?”

I looked up, and my vision blurred with unshed tears. I could see the triumphant look in his eyes, the satisfaction of seeing me broken. I tried to open my mouth to speak, but no words came out.

Instead, I nodded a single tear slipping down my cheek. “Of course,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “Congratulations”.

The room was silent, the weight of my humiliation heavy in the air. I felt like I could barely breathe, suffocation hanging in my chest. I pushed my chair back, the sound echoing in the hall. I needed to escape, to find a place where I could breathe. Where I could be free from their judgment.

I stormed out of the dining room without saying a word. My footsteps echo through the empty halls. I didn’t stop until I reached the garden. The cool air of the night immediately hit me, bringing a welcome relief against my burning cheek.

I collapsed on a bench, burying my face in my hands as the tears finally came. How could he do this to me? How could he be so cruel, after everything I’ve done for him?

I sat there for what felt like hours. My tears finally subsided as the reality of the situation settled over me. I had been humiliated and discarded.

I stood up and made my way back to the house, wiping my tears and not watching my way, in the process I bumped into someone hard which landed me on the floor.

“Ouch!” I yelled out in pain, the pain radiating to my back.

“Watch where you are going, bitch.” I heard a sneer. I looked up and it's none other than Amanda. She looked at me still sitting down on the floor with a sadistic smirk on her face. “I love seeing you on the ground, that is where you belong,” She spat.

My fists clenched in anger as I tried to steady myself by breathing. I got up and stood in front of her, “Amanda, what is it you have against me?” I croaked. She never ceases to make my life a living hell. Even after many years, she’s still after me.

“You see... .my dear Julie, I and William have been having an affair for over a year now. He always complains about how horrible you are in bed, like a log of wood. And the worst part is you can’t produce an heir, right?” Amanda said with a snide smile on her face.

I felt my heart had been divided into 2 by a sharp knife. I never knew William had been unfaithful for that long. I didn’t know when a lone tear fell down my cheek and I quickly wiped it off.

With a stern voice, I said “You might be pregnant for him Amanda, but I am still Mrs Sinclair. That is something you will never have. You are just a mistress-“ I felt a heavy slap land on my cheek.

“Let me make you a promise b***h! I will make sure William throws you out, I promise. You think you will remain Mrs Sinclair,” she scoffed. “Get ready to sign your divorce papers soon”.