The Abandoned Wife Makes A Come Back

CHAPTER EIGHT

Vincent refused to reveal his plan, leaving quietly in the night with a small kiss to my head and a promise of an entertaining show.

The next day was quiet mostly. The headlines were still painting me in an awful light. Jealous. Vengeful. Adulterous. I was a blight on the hottest couple's life and every buzz of my phone reminded me of that.

Veronica tried to distract me but I couldn't leave the lake house without the snide comments or disapproving glances in my direction. We decided to hold up in the house and just try to enjoy ourselves.

After a few days of being recluses there was a sudden change.

The headlines that defamed me suddenly disappeared as the newest gossip hit the scene. Nadia in the arms of several wealthy and influencing men. Many of whom were married.

All the hate and scandal was so easily forgotten as they turned on Nadia, questioning if her baby was actually Jonathan's.

The cherry on the cake was the reveal of Jonathan's insanely low sperm count. Meaning the child in Nadia’s belly was more than likely not even his.

This revelation obviously caused him to look like a cuckold and like a fool. Something his alpha energy couldn't allow. He publicly renounced their engagement and all involvement with her going forward would go through lawyers as he was planning to sue her for using him to find her frivolous lifestyle. A suit many of her ‘lovers’ apparently followed up with.

It was fun to watch but she had been my dear sister once, it was a bittersweet moment. She was only getting caught up in problems she created but her life would be over.

Jonathan looked like a fool in many gossip columns and several of his business partners began to shun him publicly.

The next few days were a flurry of news about my ex husband and my sister. The backlash reached so deep even my parents were calling me, complaining about Nadia. They gave me no comfort when she stole my husband but now that her promiscuous life was put on blast she quickly fell from their favor.

I knew these deep dark secrets between Jonathan and Nadia were stirred up and surfaced by Vincent but I didn't understand how.

Following his momentum though Veronica used her connections to boost the hype until Nadia and Jonathan both faded into the background. Becoming social pariahs.

I wish I could say I was happy but it still hurts to see the two people I had once loved wholeheartedly fallen into ruin. Even if it was their own doing.

The next phase in the plan seemed to be to get me out of the house.

Veronica dolled me up elegantly and showed me off at several charity events and social events. My popularity slowly rose as Veronica displayed me as a desirable woman and not some sad housewife.

I received many compliments and had several mens attention but it felt overwhelming. I preferred quiet and peaceful.

Still, this all led to me being cast away from the bad publicity and to reclaim myself in some way. No longer the dejected house wife but a charming and desired woman in social circles. I made many new friends and polished up my family name leading to my family's full support.

After a while I wasn't required to show my face and could go back to my quiet life, only attending a few events on Veronica’s insistence.

One such event was a gala event for the elite. An event my sister bragged about yearly and one she couldn't attend this year.

My mother, ever prideful, boasted about me going to such a prestigious event. The news reached even the hole My sister hid herself away in. Her fury was great but her need to be in the spotlight greater.

My sister Nadia got desperate and tried to beg me to help her get into the gala. She used all her acting skills and tried to guilt trip me with my would-be niece or nephew. Telling me how this was all too much to bear and she was at risk to lose her child after such a difficult time.

For a moment I waivered. I know that pain all too well. However this was a cause of her own misdeeds and I couldn't in good conscience take her to the event to be ridiculed more. I tried to politely decline but she screamed and threw a fit of such epic proportion my ear drums nearly bled.

Veronica swiftly snatched my phone and ended the call, her own ears ringing.

“You'd think a grown woman like her would have more dignity! Dear God…now come on. I need to take you to Marion to get fitted for the gala event.”

I smiled and she led me to the car and drove me to Marion’s studio. It was elegant and artistic. Various projects strewn about in a constructed chaotic way.

I looked around curiously, inspecting the pieces carefully. Some farther along than others and many were elaborate. I preferred a simple style and feared Veronica would insist on something more flashy.

When Marion came out to greet us he was followed by a tall gentleman with sharp ice blue eyes and shoulder length platinum blonde hair. He was imposing and quiet.

“Hello darlings! This is…” Marion looked a bit uncomfortable as he gestured to the stranger.

The man smiled and bowed respectfully to us. His eyes focused on me. Analyzing me.

“Alistair. A close friend of Vincent's.” he grinned at me with a dangerous glint in his eyes. It was clear he was as dangerous as Vincent.

Veronica narrowed her eyes, completely unfazed by this man's aura.

“You tell that asshole I'm a fashion expert! I am more than capable of choosing her dress for the event!”

He kept a smile on his face but his brow twitched in frustration.

“No doubt Ms. Valencia. However…I was instructed the dress should be simple and elegant for Ms. Adeline.”

V grumbled under her breath.

“They weren't that flashy! Didn't she look stunning at the movie premiere?!”

“Yes…she also looked a bit shy and more than one man may have faced a hard time since.”

She rolled her eyes in frustration.

“She was stunning at the charity banquet…”

“I'm not here to step on your toes. I'm here to ensure a dress designed by Vincent for Adeline is made exactly to his specifications.”

The man pulled out a black and gold card handing it to Veronica. She took it and for a moment I felt her eyes turned into dollar signs.

A black card is for the elite of the elite. Veronica's father had one but he was frugal and only used it for special occasions.

“So…he's giving this to us? To do whatever we want?” Her eyes had a bit of devious intent as she dried, holding the card with excitement.

Yes. She had her own money to spend and lots of it but this? This was someone else's money and was unlimited.

The man smiled and nodded. Veronica forgot about the dress and immediately took my hand, eager to start a shopping spree. Before she could leave the man stopped her for a moment.

“Vincent did give one instruction. Adeline needs new clothes, books, paints and everything else. After purchasing these items they are to be delivered to this address.”

Alistair handed the address on a card to Veronica before guiding Marion back to his work. We both looked at the card and our interest was sufficiently peaked.