Chapter 3: The Woman Beside Him
1164 Words
Vivian stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror, fastening the clasp of a pair of pearl earrings with trembling fingers.
The cream-colored evening gown hugged her figure elegantly, its off-the-shoulder neckline simple yet sophisticated. Adrian had once mentioned that he preferred understated elegance over flashy designs.
She remembered every little thing he liked.
He barely remembered anything about her.
She let out a soft sigh and reached for her clutch just as a knock sounded on the bedroom door.
"Mrs. Kingsley?"
It was Martha.
"Come in."
The housekeeper smiled warmly when she saw Vivian.
"You look beautiful."
Vivian smiled back.
"Thank you."
"Mr. Kingsley asked me to let you know that the car is waiting."
She nodded.
"I'll be right down."
As Martha turned to leave, she paused.
"Mrs. Kingsley..."
"Yes?"
"I know it isn't my place to say this, but tonight... don't forget that you're his wife."
Vivian's smile faltered.
"I'll try."
---
The annual Kingsley Foundation Charity Gala was one of the most anticipated social events of the year.
Business leaders, celebrities, politicians, and media personalities filled the luxurious ballroom of The Grand Crescent Hotel.
Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead while a live orchestra played softly in the background.
As Adrian stepped out of the black Rolls-Royce, cameras immediately began flashing.
"Mr. Kingsley!"
"This way!"
"Look here!"
Vivian stepped out beside him a moment later.
For a brief second, she believed they looked like every other married couple attending a formal event.
Then the whispers started.
"That's his wife."
"But Sophia Bennett is here too."
"I heard she's back for good."
"I wonder which woman he'll spend the evening with."
Vivian lowered her eyes and followed Adrian inside.
He didn't seem to hear the whispers.
Or perhaps...
He chose not to.
Inside the ballroom, dozens of guests greeted Adrian with warm smiles and firm handshakes.
He responded politely, introducing Vivian whenever protocol required it.
"This is my wife, Vivian."
The words sounded practiced.
Professional.
As though he were introducing a business partner instead of the woman he had been married to for three years.
Still...
Vivian accepted the small comfort they offered.
At least he acknowledged her.
"Mr. Kingsley."
A familiar female voice interrupted them.
Sophia Bennett approached gracefully in an elegant emerald gown that drew every eye in the room.
Her smile was flawless.
"Good evening."
Adrian nodded politely.
"Sophia."
She turned toward Vivian.
"You look beautiful tonight."
"Thank you."
"I've heard wonderful things about the charity foundation."
Vivian smiled politely.
"We're happy to have your support."
Sophia's expression remained warm, but something about the way she looked at Vivian made her uneasy.
It was almost...
Pity.
Before anyone could say another word, reporters rushed toward them.
"Mr. Kingsley!"
"Can we have a few photos?"
Adrian instinctively stepped closer to Vivian.
For one hopeful heartbeat, she thought he was choosing to stand beside her.
Then one of the organizers hurried over.
"Mr. Kingsley, Miss Bennett."
"The children's cancer foundation would like both of you on stage for the donation presentation."
Vivian blinked.
Both of them?
The organizer looked embarrassed.
"The campaign was announced months ago while Miss Bennett was still overseas. She's one of tonight's major donors."
Adrian glanced at Vivian.
"I won't be long."
She forced a smile.
"It's fine."
Was it?
No.
But she couldn't ask him to refuse in front of hundreds of guests.
As Adrian walked toward the stage beside Sophia, cameras flashed relentlessly.
Together they looked... perfect.
Beautiful.
Powerful.
As though they belonged in the same picture.
Vivian remained standing alone near the ballroom entrance.
Several women nearby began whispering.
"I always thought they'd end up together."
"They look amazing."
"The wife is pretty, but Sophia has chemistry with him."
"I almost forgot Adrian was married."
Each sentence landed like another stone against Vivian's heart.
She quietly excused herself and walked toward the balcony overlooking the city.
The cool night air brushed against her face.
For the first time that evening, she could breathe.
"You shouldn't hide."
Vivian turned.
Lucas Reed, Adrian's closest friend and legal adviser, stood a few feet away holding two glasses of sparkling water.
He offered one to her.
She accepted with a grateful smile.
"Thank you."
Lucas leaned against the railing.
"You know Adrian doesn't mean to hurt you."
Vivian laughed softly.
"Does intent really matter when the result is the same?"
Lucas didn't answer immediately.
"He carries a lot of guilt."
"I know."
"He isn't in love with Sophia anymore."
Vivian looked toward the brightly lit ballroom through the glass doors.
"Then why does everyone—including me—feel like I'm the third person in my own marriage?"
Lucas had no answer.
Inside, applause erupted as Adrian and Sophia finished presenting the largest donation of the evening.
The photographers rushed forward again.
Flash after flash illuminated the stage.
The next morning, those photographs would dominate every newspaper and entertainment website.
Not one picture would include Adrian's wife.
Not one.
---
When Adrian finally returned to Vivian's side nearly forty minutes later, he looked genuinely apologetic.
"I'm sorry."
She smiled.
"You've been saying that a lot lately."
His expression tightened.
"It was part of the program."
"I know."
"You don't sound convinced."
She looked directly into his gray eyes.
"Would anything have changed if I wasn't convinced?"
He opened his mouth.
Then closed it again.
Just then, another reporter approached.
"Mr. and Mrs. Kingsley, could we have a quick interview?"
Adrian nodded.
"Of course."
The reporter smiled brightly.
"Mr. Kingsley, social media is calling this the reunion of the decade. How does it feel working with Miss Bennett again?"
Vivian felt her stomach knot.
Adrian answered calmly.
"Miss Bennett has always been passionate about charity work."
"And your wife?"
The reporter turned to Vivian.
"How do you feel seeing your husband reunited with someone he once loved?"
The ballroom fell strangely quiet.
Dozens of nearby guests subtly turned to listen.
Vivian's heart pounded painfully.
She smiled with all the grace she could gather.
"My husband is free to help anyone in need."
The reporter wasn't satisfied.
"So the rumors of marital problems aren't true?"
Vivian glanced at Adrian.
He remained silent.
Waiting.
Watching.
Why wasn't he saying anything?
Why was he leaving her to answer alone?
She inhaled slowly.
"Our marriage is..."
Before she could finish, another voice interrupted.
"There you are!"
Sophia walked toward them carrying two glasses of champagne.
She handed one to Adrian without hesitation.
"I've been looking everywhere for you."
The simple gesture.
The familiarity.
The ease between them.
It wasn't inappropriate.
But to Vivian...
It felt intimate.
The cameras captured everything.
Click.
Click.
Click.
The reporter grinned, sensing tomorrow's headline.
Vivian quietly stepped back.
No one noticed.
No one except Adrian.
Their eyes met across the growing crowd.
For the first time that night, he saw something he had never seen before.
Not anger.
Not jealousy.
Not tears.
Just disappointment.
Deep.
Silent.
Heartbreaking disappointment.
And somehow...
That expression unsettled him more than anything else ever had.
- Writer
