Goodbye Husband, I Found Someone Better

CHAPTER 1 Hayley's POV I'd heard the rumors, but who wouldn't want him? He was rich, had the perfect body, and knew exactly how to please me. Men bowed at his feet! What more could I ask for? Tyler was the only man who didn't treat me like trash. I came from the streets, a nobody. I'd even scavenged for food in the trash, but he respected me. He promised to be my shield, and he had been. I didn’t care what others said; he was my man. That alone was all I needed, all I ever wanted: a man who didn't treat me like an orphan and didn't judge my past. We were supposed to meet at De Royale Suite two hours ago, but he was caught up with work and meetings. He's a freaking billionaire, after all; I knew he'd always be busy. I styled my red hair in a classic low bun, painstakingly stretching out the curls, but it was worth it for my husband. I wore the earrings he'd given me for my last birthday and a lustrous gold pearl necklace. I wanted Tyler to notice my cleavage, hoping we'd get freaky tonight. Call me a nasty girl, but at twenty-five, with a past I'd rather forget and no education, all I really wanted was a child. A child to shower with the love I'd never known, to raise in a home where hate, pain, and fear were just words in a book, not lived realities. The maxi emerald green dress, a vibrant splash of color against the muted tones of the hotel lobby, pooled around my ankles, the long slit on the left side teasingly revealing my thigh. Tyler loved red, the way it contrasted with my pale skin, the way it highlighted my shoulders and legs. Heels, body fragrance—the works. I was ready to surprise my man. The ride to the reservation had been agonizingly slow, each second stretching into an eternity. I could almost taste the anticipation, a mixture of excitement and nervous energy. He’d mentioned a surprise for my birthday, but with him, who knew? Sometimes his surprises were extravagant, other times, they were quiet moments of shared intimacy. The lobby of the De Royale Suite was a symphony of hushed voices, the clinking of crystal glasses, and the low hum of conversation. The air hung heavy with the scent of expensive perfume and old money. A thrill coursed through me, a mixture of excitement and apprehension. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat against the elegant silence of the opulent space. I reached our floor, the plush carpet muffling my footsteps, and scanned the hallway. It was eerily quiet, devoid of the usual bustle of a busy hotel. No balloons, no flowers, no sign of Tyler, no hint of a birthday surprise. A wave of disappointment washed over me, cold and sharp. But I tried to push it aside. Maybe he'd moved the surprise to the mansion? Maybe he had other plans. Maybe I wasn't looking hard enough. Maybe, just maybe, I was overthinking it. He’d said he was busy. Tired, but still buzzing with birthday anticipation, I started to walk away. I’d messaged the driver to meet me at the front gate. I didn’t want to walk alone, not tonight. I didn’t want that sick feeling in my gut, that premonition of something bad about to happen. The driver started the car but didn't move. His gaze was fixed to our left, a silent invitation to look. Even though every instinct screamed at me not to, I turned my head to see. I shouldn't have. There was my loving husband, holding a strange woman as if he'd lose her if he let go. He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her passionately. His steps seemed unsteady, and he looked drunk as they both laughed and kissed their way to the reservation. “Do you want me to go now, ma’am?” Eric asked. I glared at him, tears flowing down my face, my lips quivering. My heart ached. It felt like something inside me had burst open, my blood clotting. That couldn’t be happening, right? Seeing my face, Eric drove to the side and unlocked the car. He gave me a knowing look, as if he was warning me to see more, which I did. I followed them, watching my husband laugh and kiss the woman. Who was I kidding? She looked hot as heck! The aura radiating from her could melt steel. Her dress, her body were perfect, and her sharp eyes seemed to be waiting for mine. Our gazes locked. She didn’t blink for a few seconds, and I thought she was scared until she smirked and led the absent-minded Tyler to the receptionist and then to their booked table. The earth rumbled, and my knees grew weak. I felt nauseous, my throat constricted. “Oh God!” I cried, struggling to breathe. Before I embarrassed myself, I rushed away but collided with someone. His expression was blank for a few seconds, but when he saw my quivering lips and flowing tears, he lowered his arms, which had stopped me from falling. I hadn't even noticed. “I am Liam Stone,” he said. The heck! I pushed him away and ran off, not bothering to look back. All I wanted was to escape, and my driver was waiting. Getting in, Eric immediately drove off. He glanced at me from time to time, and when our gazes met, he looked away in silence. Soon, we arrived at the mansion, and he opened the door for me. There was something in his look, as if he pitied me. Walking me to my room, he opened the door, but I hesitated before going in. “Eric?” I called, unsure what to say. He just looked at me, his expression suggesting he was simply doing his job, and then he looked away. “Ma’am, you called me,” he reminded me after a moment of silence. I sniffed and snorted. “You wanted me to see him. Why?” I whispered, my voice fading as fresh tears began to pour down my face again. There was a moment of hesitation, as if he was trying to think of what to say without hurting me. After a while, he bowed slightly and moved two steps away from me. “Can I go now, ma’am?” he asked instead. “Why?!” I grew angry as I walked toward him. Our faces were almost touching, and I wanted to hit him. I wanted to hit something and scream, but I needed clarification. I needed to know what I was really doing or why I was doing it. “Why did you do it, Eric? Why the f*ck didn’t you just drive away?!” “You deserve to know, ma’am. All they say, all you’ve heard, is real,” he answered calmly. My knees gave way, but I braced myself, looking at his shoes as I broke down. I cried, and all he did was stare at me. Oh! That’s his job—to f*cking look at me everywhere I went! Soon, I was alone. I wiped off my makeup, changed, and lay in bed. Time moved slowly, but what else could I have done? I’d heard it all. Well, as far as I could remember, I ran away from the foster house when I was twelve. Drugs, stealing, living in a huge trash box with the rodents—I did it all. It wasn't that long ago, was it? How come I never thought about going to school or… Yep, I had nothing! I had nothing until Tyler took me in. He loves me; he carried me. He did all he could and made me who I am because he loves me, and he didn't cheat on me. Oh, maybe he never did. I heard the door open and pretended to sleep. His steps were heavy, his breath loud and uneven as he did random things. Soon, he showered and walked out to see me looking at him. He had this bored look on his face. "I had so much to do at work, honey," Tyler said. I nodded and continued looking. "It's just a birthday. I will get you something tomorrow. I just hope important work doesn't come up again." He climbed into bed beside me. I smiled. I had no idea why I did or what I was thinking, but I was tired, and I needed to sleep. "Goodnight, Tyler," I said.