The Billionaire Wife He Betrayed

Chapter 3 Serenity Steps Forward

Serenity stepped forward, but in the next heartbeat, Bowen's vise-like grip seized her wrist.

"Bowen." Her voice shook with barely contained rage.

Without so much as a glance her way, he barked at the security guards standing nearby.

"My ex-wife is causing a disturbance. Get her out of here."

"I am not causing a disturbance." Serenity jabbed a finger at the ring on Jade's hand. "I just want what belongs to me."

Bowen pulled out the divorce certificate, his face unreadable and cold.

"Officers, we just finalized our divorce. This is my current wife standing here. That ring belongs to me now."

The lie rolled off his tongue without any hesitation at all.

"Let me go. He is lying about everything."

The guards hauled her back as buttons flew from her blouse, exposing a flash of pale skin. Clutching her torn shirt, she watched helplessly as Bowen seized the moment. He dropped to one knee for the perfect shot before pulling Jade into a kiss so lingering that it drew stares from the passing crowd.

Shoved aside, Serenity barely heard the guard's weary sigh.

"Ma'am, it is over now. Have some self-respect. This is an official government setting."

Another guard sneered at her.

"A woman of your standing should know better. Why stoop so low?"

Stoop so low.

The words pierced like needles through her chest. She was Serenity, the jewel of her family and the undisputed queen of Southport's elite social circles. Since when did she weep in public over any man?

Her gaze lifted to see Bowen whispering against Jade's ear, their closeness pressing down on her like a physical blow. Suddenly, the fight drained out of her body, leaving only a profound weariness behind.

When filming wrapped, Bowen approached and draped his jacket over her shoulders.

"That was for the cameras. It was not real between us."

She let it slide to the ground without a second glance.

"If you mean this apology, then return my ring to me."

Bowen's brow furrowed with confusion.

"You misunderstand the situation completely. It is you who owes Jade an apology right now."

Serenity could not believe her own ears.

"You must be joking."

"The ring is just a prop for filming purposes. We are divorcing in a week anyway. But your outburst terrified her completely."

He paused and took a breath.

"She refuses to work with us unless you apologize personally. Otherwise, she walks away from the project."

Serenity's hand itched to strike him across the face. Then she spotted Elena's operatives recording nearby from their hidden position. A plan crystallized in her mind instantly.

"Very well, I will apologize to her. But you will regret this decision eventually."

Bowen did not flinch at her words.

"I will not regret anything."

She approached Jade and offered a crisp, formal bow. There was something theatrical in the gesture, a deliberate performance.

"My apologies for the disturbance. Please continue collaborating with him on your project."

Jade's lips curled into a satisfied smirk.

"How quaint this is. The famous heiress groveling before a nobody like me. Aren't I the lucky one today?"

With deliberate theatrics, she flicked her hair to showcase the ring on her finger. Then she hissed quietly.

"Funny how the rich girl's prized possession ended up on my finger so easily."

Serenity straightened her posture, her smile turning cold and distant.

"Keep it if you want. If you enjoy scavenging through garbage, help yourself to whatever you find. Men included in that category."

She turned to face Bowen directly, her voice dropping to a feather-soft tone.

"Bowen, do you know why I chose a twelve-point-one-eight-carat diamond for that ring?"

He froze completely, searching his memory before shaking his head slowly.

"It marks the exact day when we first met each other."

Recognition dawned across his face.

"My shoot for Orange Shadows in Snow back then?"

"Yes, that was the day." Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Blizzard on Maple Street. You hauled equipment for four straight hours while I watched from that café window drinking my coffee."

She took a shuddering breath.

"This ring holds another meaning for me as well. It marks the exact moment when I fell for you completely."

Her voice cracked slightly.

"My love for you began long before you ever realized it existed."

Bowen went pale instantly, the blood leaching from his cheeks. His gaze locked onto the ring on Jade's finger, and his lips trembled as he struggled to speak.

Jade cut in mockingly before he could form any words.

"Oh please, are you trying to take credit for Orange Shadows in Snow winning that award now?" Her voice dripped with honeyed venom. "We all know you helped Mr. Reed's career along the way, but must you brag about it publicly like this?"

She batted her lashes at Bowen with adoring eyes.

"Our entire series became a massive hit without your involvement at all. Mr. Reed succeeded through pure talent and relentless effort on his own."

She tilted her chin defiantly.

"With all your family wealth, why have you not produced anything worthwhile yourself?"

A dangerous glint flashed in Serenity's eyes. The sharp c***k of her slap echoed through the hall as her palm connected with Jade's cheek forcefully.

Jade clutched her stinging face where an angry red mark bloomed instantly. Tears sprang to her eyes without any effort.

Bowen's face twisted with pure fury. He seized Serenity's right wrist with bone-crushing force, his jaw muscles twitching as he hissed through clenched teeth.

"How is she supposed to film with a swollen face now? Touch her again and I will not hold back for old times' sake."

Old times' sake.

The phrase sliced through her like broken glass fragments. Serenity felt her heart fracture completely. Was their five-year marriage now just reduced to old times?

With a violent jerk, Bowen released her arm and stormed off. His arm wrapped protectively around the still-sobbing Jade, who buried her face in his shoulder as they walked away.

Left standing alone, Serenity shuddered as the bitter wind bit through her torn blouse, raising goosebumps across her skin. Her gaze dropped to the discarded suit jacket crumpled on the pavement below.

With cold contempt, she gave it a sharp kick, sending it skidding across the concrete. Then she straightened her spine and walked away, her pride the only warmth she had against the cold.