Wife Or Mistress? The Shocking Truth About My Marriage - Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Richard had heard every word.
His fists clenched so tight, his knuckles turned white.
Caught between fear of my father and the urge to save face.
He regretted making the wedding such a public spectacle.
And even more, regretted inviting half of New York's power elite.
He finally spoke, voice dry and cracked.
"Scarlett, I—"
But before he could finish, Lola tugged on his sleeve.
"Your Highness, I know I'm not worthy of you… Please let me apologize to Scarlett."
She released his arm and crawled toward me.
"Scarlett, it's all my fault."
"I'll give up the title of bride—just please forgive Richard."
Lola really was made for the stage.
Every move oozed delicate heartbreak.
Even Richard, who'd been fuming moments before, softened a little.
"Scarlett, come on… have some mercy."
His nerve was still unbelievable.
I smiled coldly and reached down, lifting Lola's chin gently.
"You're beautiful. Even I have to admit it."
My gaze slid down her face and locked on her twitching eyes.
"But you made one mistake."
"I'm not sparing you because I'm scared."
"I just don't like touching filth."
That word—filth—hit hard.
Both Lola and Richard's faces turned grim.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Richard snapped, losing his cool.
Lola's face twisted in shock, then melted into pathetic sorrow.
"I may have been an escort, but I'm still pure! I've only ever been with Richard!"
"Scarlett, are you trying to drive me to suicide?"
I let go of her and glanced at Monroe.
She handed me a fresh silk handkerchief.
I slowly wiped the spot where I'd touched Lola.
"Lola, real name Yvonne Brooks."
"From Newark, age nineteen."
"Grew up poor."
"Sold to a brothel by her father at seven. Stage name: ‘Rose.'"
"Started taking clients at sixteen."
"Bought out at seventeen by some mystery tycoon."
"Rebranded at nineteen as New Jersey's top courtesan—Lola."
"Did I miss anything?"
Lola turned ghost white.
Then, in a panic, she threw herself at Richard, grabbing his pant leg.
"Richard! You know I'm clean."
"That night—that night—you saw the blood. You know I'm telling the truth!"
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
A former bride accusing the new one of being dirty.
The new bride shouting intimate details in front of a hundred people.
Even in the history books, this would be a first.
The once-glorious prince of the East Coast…
Now officially a punchline.
Richard turned green.
He knew what was at stake.
He couldn't let her reputation fall—not without taking himself down too.
And so, through gritted teeth, he muttered:
"She's… she's a virgin."
He looked like he'd just swallowed glass.
His palm bled from how hard he'd clenched his fists.
Twenty-five years of royal upbringing, and now this—
Forced to vouch for his mistress's "purity" in public.
Lola's eyes gleamed with triumph.
"Scarlett, now you believe me, right?"
"Thank God Richard stood up for me."
"Otherwise, I'd have to hang myself just to prove I was clean."
"You're so cruel, Scarlett."
The crowd started murmuring again.
"She really went too far. For a woman, reputation is everything."
"Yeah… if Richard hadn't spoken up, that poor girl…"
"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, huh?"
Monroe couldn't take it anymore.
Her eyes narrowed, voice booming.
"Shut it, Lola! My lady would never lie like that—don't you dare slander her!"
"You speak one more word, and I swear I'll—"
"What? Threaten my bride?"
Richard stepped forward, voice low and cold.
He could handle insults from me—barely.
But a servant going off? That was too much.
Monroe hesitated, then looked at me.
I stepped in.
"That's enough. I don't argue with the irrelevant."
"Let's go home."
With that, I turned to leave.
If I was just disappointed in Richard before,
Now I was utterly disgusted.
Seeing I was really walking away, Richard panicked.
He lunged forward and grabbed my hand.
"No—you can't go!"
Scarlett's face went rigid, but she didn't move.
No one wanted to escalate in front of everyone.
The moment froze.
Richard seemed to think he'd regained some control.
"Scarlett, I told you—after this month, you're still my bride."
But then—
A deep voice boomed from the edge of the crowd.
"No need for that, Your Highness. A Monroe doesn't need to marry up."
My eyes burned.
All my composure shattered.
"Dad!"