Wife Or Mistress? The Shocking Truth About My Marriage - Chapter 20: Chapter 20

The minute I stepped out of the garden, I realized the whole estate had been transformed.
Bright red ribbons were draped over everything.
Too much. Too loud. Too… happy.
I thought I'd find peace outside that scene, but I forgot—there wasn't a single inch of this mansion left that belonged to me.
I was still in a daze when the estate manager hurried toward me.
"Good afternoon, Your Hig—"
He caught himself, instantly correcting: "Miss Monroe."
I blinked and nodded slightly.
Then my eyes landed on the box a maid was carrying nearby—stacks of wedding invitations.
I reached out and opened one at random.
Richard's handwriting stared back at me:
"Bound by fate, united in love…"
Every word—he'd written them by hand.
So thoughtful. So intentional.
Was this really all for Lola's sake? Out of pity?
Richard, if you were going to lie, you could've at least hidden it better.
Or were you so sure I'd love you enough to ignore the truth?
I couldn't even tell what hurt more—the betrayal or the insult.
I carefully closed the invitation and handed it back.
"Take them. Don't tell Richard I saw."
Three days left.
I made up my mind.
I was leaving this godforsaken place.
Going home to my parents.
That night, I went back to the garden one last time.
I wanted to say goodbye.
It wasn't even late, but the courtyard was empty.
Too empty.
Strange.
Just as I reached for the door, I heard it—soft moans.
"Richard… I still can't believe I get to marry you. It feels like a dream."
Lola's voice, dripping with need.
Richard chuckled low, his tone thick with lust and pride.
"Of course it's a dream."
"If you hadn't lost your memory, I'd never have pulled off that divorce with Scarlett."
"But hey, the night's still young… let's make the most of it."
The sounds got louder.
I felt myself fall, fast, into a black hole I hadn't seen coming.
He promised me he'd never lie.
He promised it was all for show.
He promised there'd never be anyone else.
I knew people changed.
I knew nothing lasted forever.
But I never saw this coming.
That the man I shared my bed with would trap me in a lie just to get rid of me.
Richard… you really fooled me.
So well. So cruelly.
The tears finally came.
I bit my lips shut, trying to silence my sobs.
Three years.
One thousand ninety-five days.
Gone.
Wasted.
I turned and stumbled away, barely seeing where I was going.
As I reached the steps, my foot slipped.
"Ahh—"
"Who's there?"
Richard's voice, startled.
The door flew open.