The Second Marriage Chance

CHAPTER 4: Unveiled Betrayal

Sarah

Philip’s grip on my arms was fierce, each finger a vice, like a stranger consumed by his own darkness. It was as if he no longer knew me. His anger made my bones feel fragile, almost breaking, and I couldn’t grasp his thoughts—a familiar uncertainty that haunted us.

With each step down the broad staircase, his chest heaved with fury.

“Philip, please, calm down! I-I didn’t do anything!” I pleaded, tears streaming down my cheeks, matching the torrential rain outside that also mirrored his rage.

As he led me out of Serenity Pines Estate, the cold surrounded me, mirroring his icy demeanor. Each raindrop felt like it pierced through me, intensifying my distress. Confusion clouded my mind as I struggled to grasp what had happened after being drugged by my abductors.

“No, Philip!” I begged desperately, clinging to the hope that he would listen and believe me.

“Stay there!” he commanded, shoving me out of the gate.

“No, Philip! You have to believe me!” I cried out, pleading with him, but his belief in my infidelity drowned out my words amidst the raging storm.

“Philip, please trust me!” I pleaded through tears, the pain radiating through me. I knew, deep down, that the figure in the hoodie hadn’t laid a hand on me.

In that heart-stopping moment, faces blurred into insignificance as the gate sealed my fate with a resounding crash.

On my knees, the cold asphalt biting into my skin, I looked up at Serenity Pines Estate. Tears streamed down my cheeks, tearing at my soul. Trembling uncontrollably, I felt a chill from the depths of despair.

I stood, pounding on the gate, begging Philip to let me in.

“Philip!” I cried out, but my pleas fell on deaf ears.

My hands numb with pain, I sank to the ground, hugging my knees tightly, lost in despair. I couldn’t leave; this is my place, hoping Philip would relent and open the gate once more.

Time blurred as I stayed curled up, rain soaking me, chilling me to the bone. Then, through hazy vision, a black limousine pulled up. Before I could see who emerged, darkness descended like a suffocating shroud, wet cement chilling me.

Hours passed, eyelids hesitantly parting to searing heat and my throbbing body, accompanied by a rhythmic beep nearby.

Though sheltered from the cold rain, an unexplained shiver persisted, flowing through me like icy rivers. The stark white surroundings contrasted sharply with the numbing chill inside.

“So cold…” I murmured, my voice trembling.

I was enveloped in a warm blanket, causing my eyes to close as I drifted back into dreams, hearing Amir—my older brother.

“What happened to you, Sarah?” Amir’s voice echoed in my dream, sadness etched across his features. “I came to Highland Hills City for a business trip, never expecting to find you like this. Your chosen family seemed fine; you studied and lived in a grand villa.”

“I’m fine,” I replied, masking the truth. “I love Philip deeply, and we’ve had no issues in our years together. Your investigation is accurate.”

I’m unwilling to burden Amir or anyone else, especially Philip.

Tears welled up, revealing my inner turmoil. I wanted to stop investing so much time, effort, and affection in loving someone. But my love for Philip was overwhelming, compelling me to do anything for him.

As Amir’s figure faded, Philip’s blurred face took its place, lingering in my hazy vision.

***

Philip

Rage surges through me like wildfire after witnessing the scene. I want to trust Sarah and our bond, but doubts gnaw relentlessly.

Outside, Sarah’s fists pound the aluminum gate amid the downpour. Part of me wants to join her, yet fear of looking foolish stops me. Our relationship has been casual, but now I question if that was a mistake. Has she grown weary of our marriage, finding solace elsewhere? For the second time, she’s crushed my pride and the trust I held dear.

‘She wouldn’t betray me, would she?’

“That woman has no shame! What does she think of our family? We took her in when she was nothing, and now she repays us like this? Disgusting! I won’t allow her to poison our family any longer!” Her disdain for Sarah is nothing new to me; it’s been evident for three years.

“Where did you find those pictures, Mom?” I inquired, trying to keep my voice steady despite the storm brewing within me.

“I had them investigated thoroughly! There was a day when I dropped by, and I didn’t find Sarah at home. Why would she be out when we have groceries delivered right to our door every week? And that person in the hoodie who always seems to be meeting her outside? I made sure to look into that as well. Trust me, there’s more to their relationship than meets the eye!”

A wave of darkness engulfed me as the memory hit again—the sight of that person with Sarah in the room!

I met Sarah four years ago at the Cornell mansion where she studied alongside my half-sister, Jane. Back when life was less busy at Luminary, I used to chat with both Sarah and Jane.

Jane said Sarah relies on a scholarship as an orphan. Despite this, Jane shared her Netflix and other subscriptions to help Sarah with her studies. My wife wasn’t just an outstanding student; she was a prodigy, excelling in numerous classes. What impressed me most was her steadfast dedication to everything she pursued.

I remembered my wedding day, Megan left, and Sarah proposed to marry me to protect my reputation.

“Why did you offer yourself to be my wife?” I inquired of her then.

It took her a while to gather her thoughts before responding. “I-I need money. I need assurance that I’ll be able to live,” was her reply.

My thoughts are suddenly interrupted, snapping me back to attention. “Are you listening, Philip?!” My mother’s words cut through my thoughts. “What right does that stupid wench have to try to join the Cornell Family? Megan is a much better match! Her family has wealth!”

“Her name is Sarah, not ‘stupid wench!” I retorted, feeling frustration simmering within me.

I am completely exhausted, pushed to my limit by a constant stream of challenges. Dealing with office politics, struggling with my controlling mother, and now, Sarah’s betrayal weighs heavily on me.

“She’s just another gold-digger b***h aiming to become your wife!”

I sighed in frustration, then mustered the strength to finally request, “Mom, I’d appreciate it if you could leave.”

“What?” she shouted at me, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade. “And what do you want? Let your unfaithful wife in here? I told you, Philip!”

“Stop it!” I shrieked in frustration, my patience wearing thin. It felt wrong to raise my voice at my mother, but I couldn’t bear to listen any longer.

“Roque!” I called out, locking eyes with my mother, who was visibly seething. Roque, her trusted driver and bodyguard, promptly entered the villa.

“Yes, boss?” he responded, awaiting my command.

“Please escort Madam Cornell to the mansion,” I ordered firmly, determined to resolve the situation.

With a tense jaw, my mother reluctantly followed Roque out of the living room. As she left, tension lingered, and I searched anxiously for Sarah, but she was nowhere in sight.

Frantically, I grabbed my phone and dialed Alex, desperate to find my wife. After what seemed like an eternity of suspense, twenty minutes crawled by before I finally got a response.

“Boss, your newest neighbor, Amir Benner, took Madam Sarah to the hospital.”