My Ex–Husband Regrets Letting Me Go

Chapter Three: The Banquet Of Shame

Aria’s POV

My hands were still shaking when I read the last message again.

“Tell him soon.”

The screen reflected my pale face.

Tell him? But how?

My phone rang before I could think more and I almost dropped it.

It was Mrs. Harris, the head of the orphanage.

“Aria,” she said and her voice was worried. “You’re coming tonight, right?”

“Tonight?”

“The welcome banquet. Mr. Cole’s company is announcing a new charity project. If we don’t show up, they might cut our funding.”

My chest tightened. “Do I have to go?”

“You’re still legally connected to him, it will look bad if you don’t attend.”

Legally connected. Not for long.

“I’ll come,” I said.

“Thank you, dear, and Aria… be strong.”.

I then hung up and stared at my reflection in a shop window and I placed my hand over my stomach.

“I’m doing this for you,” I whispered.

—-

The ballroom was right and gold lights shone from the ceiling, music played and laughter filled the air.

I then stood at the entrance, and I held my small purse tightly and people turned their heads when they saw me and then whispers began.

“Isn’t that his wife?”

“I thought they divorced.”

“She still came?”

My cheeks burned and I walked inside slowly.

At the center of the hall, I saw them, Adrian and Vivian.

She wore a silver dress and her hand rested on his arm again, it was like she belonged there.

He was in a black suit, he was tall, calm and powerful, it was like nothing ever happened and then my feet stopped moving.

For a second, I wanted to turn around and leave and then I remembered the children at the orphanage and I lifted my chin and walked forward.

Vivian saw me first and her lips curved into a smile and then she whispered something to Adrian and he turned and our eyes met.

His expression did not change and I stopped in front of them.

“Good evening,” I said and Vivian stepped forward before he could speak.

“Oh, Aria,” she said sweetly. “You came.”

“Yes.”

She looked around at the guests. “Everyone, let me introduce someone.”

My heart dropped.

“This is Adrian’s ex-wife,” she continued. “The temporary one.”

For a second, the room was silent and then someone laughed and another joined and then the sound spread.

Temporary? Like I was rented.

Then I looked at Adrian.

Say something, please, but he only watched me.

There was no denial, no correction, there was nothing and then the laughter faded into whispers and I felt small.

Vivian then tilted her head. “You don’t mind me saying that, right? After all, the contract ended.”

Contract. I nodded slowly. “I don’t mind.”

My voice sounded steady and I didn’t know how.

Vivian smiled wider. “Good. I was worried you might misunderstand.”

Adrian then finally spoke. “That’s enough.”

His tone was firm, but not for me and he looked at Vivian gently. “Let’s greet the investors.”

Investors, work, business.

I stood there alone while they walked away together and a waiter passed by with a tray of drinks and I took one, even though my hand was shaking.

A woman then approached me.

“You’re brave,” she said gently and I forced a smile. “Why?”

“To come here after being replaced.”

Replaced? The word was heavy.

“I wasn’t replaced,” I said gently. “I was never first.”

She then looked at me with pity before walking away.

Love without protection is humiliation.

I understood it now.

Then I saw Adrian laughing at something Vivian said, he never laughed like that with me in public and my chest ached.

I then walked toward the buffet table to avoid staring, the smell of food made my stomach turn and I gripped the edge of the table.

“You should eat more.”

The voice came from behind me and I froze and Vivian stood beside me.

She then picked up a small plate and placed a piece of cake on it.

“For the baby,” she added lightly and my heart stopped.

I turned slowly. “What did you say?”

She then smiled without blinking. “Pregnant women need strength.”

The room was tight. “How do you know?” I asked and she leaned closer and I could smell her perfume.

“You fainted yesterday,” she whispered. “And you looked at your stomach when you fell.”

My blood ran fast in my ears.

“You were watching?” I asked.

“Of course,” she said calmly. “You were still my obstacle.”

Obstacle? I immediately stepped back and before I could speak again, my vision started to blur and the lights above me spinned and then the music sounded far away.

“Are you okay?” someone asked and I tried to answer but my mouth was dry.

Then I heard a voice in the crowd.

“She’s pregnant.”

The word spread like fire.

Pregnant.

Pregnant.

My knees felt weak and suddenly, a strong hand grabbed my wrist and I looked up. It was Adrian and his face was dark.

“Come with me,” he said and he pulled me through the crowd and people moved aside quickly.

We then entered a private hallway and he closed the door behind us, but his grip was still tight.

“Pregnant?” he repeated and I pulled my hand but he did not let go.

“Pregnant with whose child?”

The question hit me like a slap and I stared at him.

“Say something,” he demanded.

“With whose child?” he repeated and it was louder now.

My heart broke again, but not because he was angry but because he doubted me and I searched his eyes for trust but I found none and then I slowly pulled my hand away from his.

“If you don’t know,” I whispered, and my voice was shaking, “then maybe you never knew me at all.”