CHAPTER 3
703 Words
"Oh, Chris, how can I ever thank you enough. You’re so sweet," Isabelle giggled, twirling a strand of her hair between her fingers.
Arthur stood frozen, watching as his wife exchanged flirtatious words with another man right in front of him.
"I can't believe you went out of your way just for me," Isabelle cooed.
"You always know how to make me feel special. My birthday is already unforgettable because of you."
On the other end, Chris chuckled, his deep voice smooth and confident.
"Isabelle, you deserve nothing but the best. And trust me, tomorrow will be even more special. Aside from the arrangements I've made for a grand celebration, I can’t wait to see you shine in the dress I picked out for you."
Isabelle's eyes widened with delight.
"You also bought me a dress?"
Chris replied, "Yes, I had it delivered to you already. It should be arriving any moment now. I want you to wear it for your party so that everyone would see how stunning my queen is."
Isabelle placed a hand over her chest, feigning an exaggerated gasp.
"Thanks so much, love," she replied.
Arthur felt his stomach churn.
For four years, he had worked himself to the bone to provide for Isabelle, yet she had never once spoken to him like this.
Never had she looked at him with admiration, excitement, or warmth.
Their marriage was nothing more than a cold arrangement—a twisted joke where he played the role of a servant rather than a husband.
And as if that wasn't enough, Isabelle exchanged flirtatious words with another man right in front of him!
Just before the call ended, the doorbell rang.
Isabelle's eyes sparkled as she rushed to the door excitedly.
When she swung the door open, a delivery man stood there, holding a sleek black parcel in his hands.
"Delivery for Miss Isabelle Lewis," the man announced.
Isabelle eagerly snatched the parcel from him, barely acknowledging his presence.
She tore it open in haste, revealing a breathtaking gown that shimmered under the soft lighting of the room.
Almost immediately, Arthur caught a glimpse of the price tag before Isabelle did.
$100,000.
His heart clenched.
Isabelle gasped audibly, holding her breath as she took in the sight before her.
"Oh my goodness!" she exclaimed.
Beside her, Harriet’s eyes widened in disbelief.
"A hundred thousand dollars? Just for a dress?"
"This is so beautiful!" Isabelle squealed, pressing the dress against her body, already imagining how she would look in it.
Harriet placed a hand on her chest, shaking her head in amazement.
"This is what it means to have a real man who knows your worth! Not some useless excuse of a husband who can’t even buy you a ten-dollar dress."
At this, Isabelle turned to Arthur with a mocking smile.
"Look at you," she sneered.
"Shouldn't you be ashamed of yourself now? You bought me some cheap rag, and you expected me to wear it?
Harriet let out a scornful laugh.
"Imagine thinking that a worthless orphan like you is married to my daughter! Isabelle, thank God Chris came into your life before you wasted any more time on this failure."
Arthur stood there, silent, his chest tightening.
The name Chris Williams was no stranger to him.
He had heard of Chris's influence, his wealth, his power. But never had he imagined that his wife—the woman he had vowed to love and cherish—was in a secret relationship with him.
And the worst part?
She had no shame in flaunting it right before his eyes.
For six months since Isabelle started her relationship with Chris, she had been playing a game, pretending to be single, stringing Arthur along only because he was useful for house chores.
He was nothing more than a houseboy to her, a temporary convenience she intended to discard the moment Chris proposed.
Arthur clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white.
For four years, Isabelle had never once told him she loved him.
She had never even let him touch her, never treated him like a husband.
Their marriage had been nothing but an empty shell.
And now, it was clear that being together just wasn’t worth it.
- Writer
