Shades of The Richest Simon Hall

Chapter 2 The Bitter Truth

"Even a criminal deserves to know their charges, don't they? Honey, what have I done to make you this angry? Just tell me and I'll fix it, alright? It took me eight years to win you over, only to face divorce a year into our marriage. You might as well just end me," Simon insisted.

Michelle let out a derisive laugh, her eyes instantly welling up.

"You vowed you'd cherish me forever when we married, but in just a year, you're treating me like I'm invisible. You're perpetually swamped with work, with half the month spent on trips."

Michelle's tone turned more sorrowful while tears cascaded down her cheeks.

As for me, my complexion seemed to drain by the second.

Simon's career never really gave him a break. He was always somewhere else, tied up with meetings or burning the midnight oil.

Feeling sympathy for him, I tried to innovate in the kitchen, even rising at dawn to make his breakfast. Yet what did it lead to…

Michelle started to narrate.

"When I went abroad three years back, you swore to wait for me. But hardly six months passed, and you missed one goodnight text."

That was three years ago, right when Simon and I crossed paths.

He insisted it was love struck at first glance. During countless cherished nights, he'd plant a tender kiss on my brow, his eyes brimming with emotion.

"On the last Valentine's Day, I craved cupcakes from Sunderburg. Yet, you sent your assistant instead of going yourself."

That evening, Simon claimed work had him tied up all night.

When he eventually came back, he had a box of cupcakes, now cold to the touch. Knowing the wait that bakery demands, I threw myself into his embrace, touched yet guilty.

"And just last week, I told you about my stomach pain, but you didn't rush home to see me! It took you a full two hours to get back!"

That day, I suffered a relentless fever and reached out to Simon, hoping he'd accompany me to the doctor.

He showed up after a while, but shortly left, eyeing his phone, saying urgent tasks needed his attention, leaving me alone with some fever meds.

In my burning state, sweating cold, I downed the pills without water, curled up, enduring the night.

Vision hazy, Michelle's words cut through me like sharpened daggers.

My palms were dug deep by my nails, yet the pain evaded me completely.

I had never bothered to peel shrimp on my own before, but this morning, you didn't even remember to do it for me. Clearly, you've stopped caring. I can't be with you anymore. Let's call it quits and get a divorce!

Michelle's words spilled out between sobs, reminiscent of a princess burdened with endless woes.

Simon, his face a mask of worry, gently brushed away her tears.

"I've turned down billion-dollar deals for you, and still you doubt my love. I'll scale back on work, spend more time with you, okay? Please, don't cry. It breaks my heart. I'm sorry, and I promise things will change."

With Simon's soothing words, Michelle's anger began to melt away.

"Fine, but this is your last chance. If you let me down again, I'm done."

As they held each other tight and began to leave, Michelle paused, her eyes flickering toward me.

"Honey, don't you think this lady looks a lot like me?"

Simon glanced my way, eyes narrowing slightly before he quickly turned away, a serene expression settling on his face.

"I don't see the resemblance. You're way prettier."

Michelle flashed him a mock glare.

Frozen in place, I felt as if my heart had been dipped in ice water, the chill spreading through me.

Dragging myself home, I swung the door open to find the unexpected.

It was Simon.