BETRAYED BY MY HUSBAND NOW HIS TWIN WANTS ME

Chapter 5

Vivian’s Pov

“I will take this one, I think I like it,” I announced, forcing a cheerful mask.

“Okay, Mrs. Blacksmith. Please, we can proceed with the payment,” Mr. Alex, the leasing agent, replied.

I handed him my debit card.

“Sorry, Ma’am, but the card declined. Apparently, it’s saying blocked,” he reported, his brow furrowed.

“Blocked?” The word echoed in the small office, leaving me in total, stupid confusion.

This was the account Frank had set up for me right after we married, fixed on automatic monthly credit. I rarely used the funds because he generally provided everything I needed back when his head was still on straight, not now that he was acting like a possessed prick.

I had been planning to use that money to secure a mini-flat, but the bastard knew I would be desperate for cash. He had preemptively blocked the account. What was I supposed to do now? He’d boasted he would ensure I didn't survive out here, but I hadn't thought he would move this fast.

“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Blacksmith. Do you have any other option?” Mr. Alex asked, his face radiating genuine pity.

“Well, here. Try this one.” I handed him my other card, the one I’d held onto the longest. I often transferred small amounts into it because this account was solely in my name.

It was as if some deep, primal instinct had foreseen this day; I had prepared for the worst without even realizing it.

“Enjoy your stay here,” Mr. Alex said as he left.

Finally. I could shower and relax. The amount of stress I'd endured was too much for one person to bear. I had cried my eyes out all night, but now, I swore I wouldn’t shed another tear for a marriage that was clearly never real.

Get it together, Vivian. You’ve got this. I spoke the words to the trembling reflection in the mirror. He’s the one who f****d up, not you.

Yet, even with that fierce internal affirmation, why did the pain still slice so deep? I couldn’t stop the mental loop. No matter how hard I tried to convince myself that this mess wasn't my fault, I couldn’t silence the self-blame. Maybe if I had been the perfect wife... Maybe if I was sexier, like Mary... Just maybe my marriage wouldn't be in ruins right now.

I had put my entire life on hold for him. I would have been a top Data Analyst today, but he stopped me, arguing it wouldn’t look proper for a man of his standing to have his wife work. I was so stupid, or perhaps just too blindingly in love. I hadn't even bothered to ensure assets were bought in my name. Everything Frank acquired was in his name. At first, I saw no issue; we were one, so why split names?

And now, here I was, back to absolute zero. No property, no achievement, nothing of my own. The only thing I could look back on with happiness and zero regret was Bella. She was my consolation in this marriage that had turned into a cruel joke.

I couldn’t wait for the divorce to be finalized. At least a settlement would give me a foundation to rebuild. I’d always wanted to live in New York, maybe this was the perfect time. I could go with my daughter.

I hate my life right now. Even separated, my future would still be tethered to that fool because of Bella. I would still have to see his ugly face every time.

I needed to eat something before I developed an ulcer. I hadn't been able to stomach anything since last night.

**********

I was dragging my trolley, picking up the few essential items I would need.

“Hi, Vee.”

I spun around. The only person who dared call me that was Mary. I used to love the nickname, now, hearing it from her mouth felt like filth.

“Are you stalking me?” I snapped, my mood instantly curdling with rage.

“Stalking you?” Mary giggled, the sound light and infuriating. “Oh, please, Vee, We just happened to be in the same place by coincidence.”

“Move out of the way,” I hissed, my voice low but vibrating with suppressed fury.

“Well, since fate brought us together, I have something to tell you,” she continued, undeterred.

“Shut your gutter of a mouth up! I don’t want to hear any rubbish from you! You ruined my life, b***h!”

“Oh, Vee, I didn’t ruin your life. I only helped you,” she countered sweetly. “Would you have preferred he was f*****g an outsider? At least I get to be your daughter’s stepmother.”

“Don’t you dare get close to my daughter, you psychopathic b***h!”

“Look, Vee, I’m not here to exchange words with you. You were my best friend, and I still respect what we shared,” she said, her expression hardening slightly. “Frank was never truly yours from the start, and deep down, you know it.”

“You must be utterly insane! What do you mean he was never mine? You are completely unhinged!” I yelled.

“Insult all you want. This is the problem I have with you—always feeling too important, always projecting that you are Mrs. Perfect, that no wrong could ever come from your side. That’s why you lost him. Because you won’t accept that your marriage ended because of you,” she spat, landing the final, vicious blow.

“Me? Mrs. Perfect? When have I ever acted superior? You are truly crazy! You’re just a jealous b***h! I won't let you blame me for your own evil!”

“Well, if not for anything, then for the friendship we once shared, just know this: Frank is coming hard for you. He won’t rest until he sees your flat ass on the floor. And as for your daughter, don’t worry, I will treat her like a mother. Just don’t piss me off any further,” Mary finished, turning and sauntering away.

I stood there, surrounded by shelves of groceries, trying to process the venomous exchange. I hadn’t known Mary was capable of this monstrous cruelty. I had trusted her, treated her like a sister. No, I wouldn’t stand here and blame myself for something I didn't do. Mary wasn't a friend; she had been a parasite, fueled by hidden jealousy. She hung around, waiting for the easy opportunity to get close to Frank.

Stupid me. I trusted too much, and that was a weakness I had to fix. With everything she had said, I knew I needed to prepare for Frank’s attack. The blocked card was already warning enough.

I needed to act fast. Right now. I pulled out my phone, scrolling through contacts until I found the name I was looking for.

“Hello, Peter.”