BACK TO RUIN HIM

Nora's POV Ever felt like you've been robbed of your life, your dreams, your true nature? That's how I felt as I sat in the corner, watching my husband paint his mistress as the perfect woman in the world—rather than me. This was the man I left everything for. I spent all I had just to see him succeed—my time, my life savings—and now, this is how I get treated? With a stab in the back? Well, my name is Nora Hedilston. I was once known as the millionaire heiress of my company, thanks to my father's support. And when Jacob Suarez came into my life, everything changed. I loved Jacob so much, but my family never agreed to our relationship. I can still remember my father's warning clearly: "If you choose to marry Jacob, I'll disown you as my daughter. You'll no longer be recognized as a member of the Hedilston family. I'll also strip you of the support I provide for your business." Well, none of that mattered. I still went ahead. I followed my heart, married Jacob, and spent everything I had on his business. And now that he is successful, he treats me like trash, flaunting his new-found mistress—Candy. She was his PA, and to him, she was perfect in every way. Today was my 22nd birthday, yet I didn’t feel like I was the one being celebrated. I felt like an ornament, while Candy was the spotlight of the day. That was it. Then something in me snapped. I stood up from where I was crouched and walked towards where Jacob sat beside Candy. I wasn’t going to stand and watch some girl steal my spotlight. I mean, I was the birthday girl. I deserved the attention—not her. Immediately I got to the stage, I sat in between Jacob and Candy, showing her who deserved to sit beside him. I smiled at Jacob, whose face continued to hold a happy expression which was not for me. “What is this?” he growled as he stood up. “Have you lost your manners, Nora?” he yelled. At this point, all eyes were on us. I couldn't help but feel intimidated—but I wasn’t going to back down. Today was my day, and I was going to make it memorable, whether Jacob or Candy liked it or not. I stood up as well. “I... Jacob, I just wanted to have a moment with you. I wanted you to come dance with me on this special day, rather than spend time with—” “Dance with you?” His voice cut me short. “Why the hell would I want to dance with someone like you?” “I’m your wife, for crying out loud, Jacob,” I said, my voice rising more than I intended. “So?” he blurted, as if my title meant nothing. “I’m your wife, and right now, I need your attention. Today’s my birthday, and you won’t even dance with me? You’d rather spend time with her?” I asked, my voice trembling, eyes building up tears. “I don’t care whether it’s your birthday. I don’t want to dance. Neither do I want to touch something as disgusting as you.” His reply made my throat run dry. It was as if the very air that passed through my nostrils seized momentarily. I—his wife—disgusting? That was the height of it. The thought gnawed at me. But it wasn’t just what he said—it was the fact that everyone there laughed at my husband calling me disgusting. “So you’d rather spend time with her on the day I’m supposed to get all the attention?” I asked. But he only glared at me. At this point, Candy, who was still seated, stood up and walked toward a waitress. She collected a glass of wine, walked back to me, and with precise movement, spilled the drink on me. “Oops. I guess it slipped,” she said, smirking. The gown I wore was now wet from the stomach down. This was the very dress Jacob had gotten for me on our first anniversary. Just then, I felt my fists clenching, rage boiling within me. Before Candy could process what was going on, my palm landed hard across her cheek. The sound echoed in the hall, and everything seemed to stop. The DJ stopped the music, and now everyone’s attention was on me and Candy. But something I had never expected happened at that instant. Jacob spun me around and connected his palm to my face. God... I hadn’t expected that. The force of the slap sent me sprawling to the ground. I grabbed my cheek, the pain stinging like fire. Tears rolled down as I sat on the floor, staring at the man I once sacrificed everything for. He stood there, chest heaving, like he would snap my head off. “How dare you,” he growled. Without even casting another glance at me, he went ahead to sympathize with Candy, who acted like she’d been shot—meanwhile, she had only received a mere slap. I stared at the faces of the guests who stared at me. Some whispered to themselves, while others couldn't hold back their laughter.. I couldn’t take this anymore. No, I couldn’t. The shame, the stares—everything was overwhelming. I stood up and ran, my legs carrying me as fast as they could as I climbed up the grand staircase. Within seconds, I found myself in my room. I locked the door behind me and crumbled onto the floor, leaning against my bed as I wept. I should have listened to my father years ago when he warned me about marrying Jacob. What wrong could I have done to deserve this kind of hatred from you, Jacob? I sobbed to myself. Just then, my stomach churned. I felt the urge to throw up. I dashed into the bathroom and emptied my insides into the toilet. I felt dizzy for a while before finally regaining my strength. I stared at my reflection in the mirror. Yep. This feeling wasn’t new. I was a month pregnant with Jacob’s child—but I had never told him. I never had the courage to. Especially with his recent behavior. What if he accused me of having affairs outside our marriage? No. I couldn’t tell him. I would keep this a secret, even for eternity. I had to. I washed my face and left the bathroom. But just as I stepped out, a hand grabbed me and pulled me close. God knows I didn’t know who the stranger in front of me was. I bit his hand and tried to flee, but he grabbed me again—this time, throwing me to the bed. I collapsed, my head aching and my heart thudding faster than it should. As I looked up, I saw the man had removed his shirt and was now unbuckling his belt, walking toward me as I lay helplessly. “Stay where you are!” I yelled. “Please, just stay where you are. Don’t come any closer!” I begged. That didn’t work. He lunged at me, pinning me down as he tried to force himself on me. I struggled with all the strength I had—but I couldn’t escape his grip. He leaned in, caressing my neck. His warm breath clawed at my skin. Just then, the room door burst open. Someone walked in—it was Jacob. The man on top of me quickly pulled away. Seizing the opportunity, I ran from the bed and hugged Jacob tightly. “Thank goodness you're here!” I cried. “After I came out of the bathroom, this man tried to force himself on me, Jacob!” He glared at me—and then pushed me away. I landed on my butt, staring at him in shock. “I knew it was only a matter of time before you began sleeping with other men behind my back,” he snarled. In that charged moment… my world seized.