He Cheated With "Brother", I Destroyed Them

"Aria, why hasn't Vincent taken off his shirt yet today? Has your cryophobia gotten better?" "That's right. Don't you always have to strip him down completely and press your bare skin against his just to feel any relief from your symptoms?" Loud chatter and teasing filled the table. Instead of answering, Aria Yorke turned her gaze toward me and spoke in a playful tone, "Come on, everyone. Watch your words. Leah is here today. She gets jealous easily. If she misunderstands the pure bond between me and Vincent and won't let him near me anymore, what will I do?" Another round of laughter erupted, and familiar, mocking eyes settled on me. A cold shiver ran through my entire body, but then realization hit me. 'I have been reborn.' I was back at the welcome dinner held for my husband, Vincent Devereux, and Aria, just after they returned from their trip to southern Florida to escape the winter cold. At every gathering like this, I had always been the target of Aria's jabs and ridicule. And Vincent would only smile and try to smooth things over. "Aria always speaks without thinking. Don't take her words to heart." Just as expected, Vincent reached out and patted the top of my head, already stepping in to mediate. "What's wrong, Leah? You aren't actually angry, are you?" I swatted his hand away, my expression calm and unwavering. "She is sick. Why would I argue with someone who is ill?" Vincent froze in surprise. The smile on Aria's face stiffened, clearly not expecting me to call her out so directly. "Leah, you are being so sharp with your words. It seems you really are upset. If you dislike our bond so much, I will just leave then." With that, she made a show of looking hurt, slipped off her lace undergarment, and tossed it straight at Vincent. "Vincent, let's stop seeing each other from now on. Here, take back everything you bought me today." The private dining room instantly fell into chaos. "Vincent, your wife is being unreasonable. Are you going to back down just like that? Why aren't you speaking up for Aria?" "Exactly! Aria is one of our closest friends. If she is ready to cut ties, you should hurry and stop her!" Someone pushed two glasses toward them. "You know the usual! Drink a toast together, arm in arm, and call it done!" Vincent glanced hesitantly at me. Before I could say a word, he took the glasses, wrapped one arm around Aria's shoulders, and spoke in a soft, coaxing tone, "Stop making a scene. How could I ever let you leave for real?" In my past life, Aria had thrown this exact same tantrum at this very dinner. Back then, I had trembled with rage and tried to stop them from drinking that toast. Aria had hidden behind Vincent, eyes glistening with tears, and said, "Leah, if you won't let us share a drink, do you truly want to end my friendship with Vincent?" Vincent's face had turned cold at once, and he had snapped at me for being too jealous and refusing to make allowances for someone who was unwell. From that day on, he had stuck by Aria's side without a moment's separation. I had backed down again and again, yet they only grew bolder and more shameless. Even in my final moments, as the poison took hold, I could hear Aria's voice drifting from outside the hospital room, sounding weak and pitiful. "Vincent, it seems Leah is pretending to be ill again just to scare you. She really wants to force me to cut all ties with you." And Vincent had replied, his tone cold and devoid of feeling, "Even if she dies, I will never let you go." The choking sensation of my last breath seemed to grip my throat once more, heavy and hopeless. I forced those emotions deep down, my face hardening. Seeing them about to share that linked drink, I could not help but let out a sharp, cold laugh. Aria looked at me, her eyes already turning red. "Leah, I am only sick, which is why Vincent feels the need to look after me so carefully. If there was ever anything romantic between us, you would never have become Mrs. Devereux." The people around us nodded in agreement. Vincent too stared at me with clear displeasure. I did not flinch. Instead, I raised my hand and slapped Aria hard across the cheek. Amidst the gasps of shock from everyone present, I smiled calmly. "Forgive me. I am sick too... mentally ill. Whenever someone provokes me, I get the urge to hit them." The laughter around the table died instantly, and voices rose in protest, all taking Aria's side. Tears flooded Aria's face at once. Vincent's expression turned dark and furious. "Leah West - Devereux, you have gone too far! Apologize to Aria right now!" "Don't worry, I will pay compensation." I pulled a one-hundred-dollar bill from my purse and threw it right into her face. "This is for you. If that isn't enough, go ask your Vincent for more. And while you are seeing a doctor, don't just check your own condition... your friends here should all get their heads examined as well." Every face in the room twisted into looks of anger and embarrassment. I paid them no mind and turned my cold gaze straight to Vincent. I reached out and pulled his shirt off completely. "If you want to treat your "close friend's" illness properly, then do it right. Don't wear the shirt I bought you for this. It reeks of something foul. It's disgusting." With that, I tossed the shirt straight into the wastebasket. Under the stares of complete shock and disbelief, I turned and walked out of the room. In this life, I would not swallow my pride or hold my tongue. And this marriage? I was determined to end it for good!