Chapter 4 A Stunning Debut
990 Words
Just then, Richard also recognized that stunning woman.
It was none other than his wife, Merissa, who was breathtaking in a way he had never seen before!
Bathed in soft blue light, her figure was elegantly outlined in a silver-white V-neck gown that hugged her contours perfectly. Her skin shimmered under the lights, and her long legs were set off by a pair of sparkling nude-color high heels, fully embellished with diamond.
Her dark, slightly curled hair cascaded casually down her back, adding a touch of leisure. Her deep green eyes were captivating, and her pink lips only added to her allure.
She was stunning, irresistibly so.
Looking different from the past, today's Merissa applied makeup, enhancing her already striking features. She seemed like a radiant red rose, exuding irresistible allure.
"My God, is that really Merissa? She looks completely transformed; I almost didn't recognize her!"
"Yeah, she's like a whole new person!"
Richard's friends also gathered around, each one voicing their admiration for his soon-to-be ex-wife's beauty.
Richard himself was shocked. Beyond the ordinary and plain Merissa he knew, there was a side to her he had never seen.
At home, she had never decked out, with thick, ugly black-framed glasses that masked all her beauty.
But who was that man beside her? She had just filed for divorce, and now she was with someone else? Was he really that inadequate that she was in such a rush to find a replacement?
The thought made Richard want to crush the glass in his hand.
"Isn't that man with Merissa the hot new celebrity everyone's talking about?"
"Yes, that's Cartland Narth. He's a scion of the prominent Narth family, quite the catch!"
"Oh Richard, looks like your ex-wife has picked a great partner!"
Richard's friends were ever eager for some drama and didn't hold back their comments.
Richard's expression turned even colder, his expression chilling as if the air around him could freeze someone alive.
It seemed his ex-wife really had a game plan, embarrassing him during their marriage and now making a fool of him during their divorce!
Noticing Richard's change, Maddie clenched her fists hard, her eyes a swirling mix of jealousy and malice.
Why should Merissa get to be so stunning? Even more eye-catching than her?
No, this shouldn't be happening! Damn it!
Merissa should have been like a rat in the sewers, ideally married to a drug addict or an abusive old man.
That would have been a fitting end for her.
But why? Why did Merissa end up with Cartland, whom Maddie was dying to work with, after she had hogged Richard for three years?
*****
Unaware she had become the subject of such scrutiny, Merissa felt relieved to finally be herself again.
What a liberating feeling!
No longer did she have to worry about whether Richard liked her or when she might lose him.
"Do you want to go up and play a piece? It's been a long time since I've heard you play the cello," Cartland suggested, breaking her thoughts.
Merissa looked over, her eyes resting on the antique cello placed prominently in the center of the hall. She couldn't help but recall those lovely days she once had. "Okay. It's indeed been so long. I almost forgot how it felt," she said, and with a gentle smile, she walked gradually towards it.
As she approached the cello, all eyes in the room turned to her.
Sitting down slowly, Merissa set up the cello gracefully and skillfully.
The next moment, her fingers fluttered over the strings like butterflies, and as the bow glided back and forth, a rich, beautiful melody began to resonate throughout the hall.
The melody was ethereal and tinged with sadness, touching everyone's hearts while cleansing their souls.
For that moment, time seemed to stop as everyone was engrossed in the performance of the dazzling woman on stage.
As the piece ended, the room burst into enthusiastic applause.
Richard, too, had been drawn deep into the haunting music, jerked back to reality only by the sudden applause.
Merissa played the cello! However, he had never known even though they had been a couple for years. What more was she hiding?
Feeling as if something were stuck at the top of his throat, Richard couldn't shake off his discomfort.
Watching his sister reclaim her past glory on stage, Cartland felt an indescribable pride and admiration. He stepped forward and embraced Merissa. "It seems the little sister that used to make me proud has finally returned."
"Tell me about it!" Merissa beamed, utterly oblivious to Richard's brooding gaze from afar.
Richard's face turned livid, yet he still seemed quite impressed by her talent. It appeared he had grossly underestimated her. He had once believed she was capable of nothing, but now, he realized it was just her disguise. Seeing Merissa so close to another man, a man far superior to him, made him feel sick.
Beside him, Maddie was equally shocked by Merissa's transformation. This was beyond her wildest expectations! But she wouldn't allow Merissa to outshine her, nor to take Richard back.
Suddenly, an idea struck Maddie. She inched closer to Richard, shyly tugged at his sleeve, and then said softly, "Richard, Merissa was married to you for so long, yet she never dressed up in front of you. Did she mean to disgrace you? And now, shortly after asking for a divorce, she began dating a celebrity. Did she cheat on you all along?"
Her words turned Richard's already sullen face even stormier, his fingers tightening around his glass until they turned white.
Yes, Merissa had never dressed up like this during their marriage. Was it all just for Cartland now? Most importantly, they hadn't divorced yet! How dare she! She must have done this on purpose!
Feeling the sharp gaze from afar, Merissa glanced over, and her eyes widened in shock.
Those two again! Always looming like dark clouds!
- Writer
