Chapter 3

Gina’s POV

“What do you mean?” I asked him, wondering why he’d choose me when Celine was still here. I stared at him, hoping the response I’d get this time would be worth it. I wondered if he had finally come to his senses.

“Celine isn’t feeling fine, so she can’t follow me; that’s why I had to take you.” He said and my heart sank. What was I expecting? He had never taken me to a gathering before, it's obvious he was just taking me because he had no one else to go with.

“Okay, no problem.” I ate the last piece of food and stood up. “I’ll follow you to the gathering as expected, but once we are back, you should prepare to sign the divorce papers,” I added.

“There’s nothing like divorce in my dictionary, there can only be widowed.” He said coldly.

I didn’t bother to give a response as I walked away from the dining room going back to my room to rest.

I woke up the next day feeling weak and tired; I thought I needed to go for another check-up; my heart was getting weaker and weaker.

I went downstairs after showering and dressing up to meet only Christian in the house, there was no trace of Celine. “I’m going to the company now, I’ll come pick you up by 5pm.” I just nodded my head to his words positively.

After he left, I ate the food at home and then left for the hospital. Getting there, I went straight to Miss Branny’s office.

She was sitting there staring at the window; I gently knocked on the door to call her attention, “Ohh, Gina.” I smiled and went inside.

“You know Gina, I was once like you, naive and stupid, but I decided to leave. I think Christian do have a soft spot for you, but I’ll still ask you to think for yourself.” She said softly.

I knew exactly what she meant. “I understand you clearly, I know what to do already.” She simply nodded.

“I’m here for the test results.” She took out the document in her drawer and handed it over to me.

“Your heart is getting worse by the day. We need to find you a compatible heart donor very soon to save you, or it’ll be too late to do so.” She explained.

I knew my heart disease wasn’t any better but I’m not going to give up this soon, “You can start looking for a donor.” I stood up and thanked her before leaving.

I realized it was already late in the evening. I got back home and went inside, had a quick bath before changing into a long slit blue ballroom gown.

I wore the ocean ice love-shaped necklace that he bought for me at an auction before sliding into my black heels.

I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the elegant navy blue gown I’d chosen. It hugged my figure perfectly, with just enough sparkle to catch the light. For the first time in what felt like forever, I looked beautiful. I had done my makeup carefully, letting my hair fall in loose waves over my shoulders.

As I walked downstairs, heels clicking on the polished wood, I spotted Christian waiting by the door. His eyes flicked up to me, and instead of the approval or even indifference I expected, his expression hardened.

“You’re overdressed,” He said sharply.

I stopped in my tracks. “What?”

“You don’t need to look like that,” he said, gesturing to my dress. “The investors aren’t coming to see you. Go change into something less… showy.”

I stared at him, my mind reeling. Wasn’t this what every man wanted? To see their wife looking beautiful? To show her off?

But Christian wasn’t every man. He was a man who would rather protect his mistress feelings than let me shine.

Without a word, I turned around, my heart sinking, and changed into a simpler black dress. It was plain, modest, and far from the elegant look I had hoped for.

When I returned, Christian was already in the car, his impatience visible even from a distance. I slipped into the passenger seat, and the car ride to the gala was silent.

As we pulled into the grand hall’s parking lot, I noticed two invitation cards on the dashboard. My heart swelled slightly. Maybe, just maybe, they were for both of us.

But the moment I stepped out of the car and adjusted my dress, Christian turned to me, his phone buzzing in his pocket.

“I’ll be right back,” he said curtly.

I nodded, smoothing my dress. “I’ll head to the restroom and meet you inside.”

He barely acknowledged me as he walked toward the entrance, his phone already at his ear.

When I came back from the restroom a few minutes later, my heart stopped.

Christian was standing at the door, but he wasn’t alone. Celine was with him, her hand tucked into his arm. They laughed together, their faces close, as they walked into the gala like a perfect couple.

I stood frozen, watching them disappear inside. My mind raced, and I hurried back to the car. The dashboard was empty. The cards were gone.

Anger boiled in my chest. This wasn’t just humiliation, it was betrayal.

I stormed toward the entrance, but a security guard blocked my way. “Ma’am, do you have an invitation?”

“I don’t,” I said, my voice trembling with frustration. “But my husband is inside. Christian Penelope.”

The guard’s expression remained firm. “I’m sorry, ma’am. No invitation, no entry.”

I tried to push past him, but his hand gripped my arm firmly. “Step back, ma’am.”

“Let me go!” I snapped, struggling against his grip.

“What’s going on here?”

A deep voice said through the tension, and I turned to see a tall, well-dressed man approaching us. His sharp features and confident demeanor were striking.

“She’s causing a scene.” The guard said.

The man’s gaze softened as it landed on me. “She’s with me,” He said firmly. “Let her through.”

The guard hesitated, but after a moment, he let me go.

“Are you okay?” The stranger asked, his voice gentle.

I nodded, still in shock. “Thank you. I… I don’t know who you are, but thank you.”

He smiled slightly. “Let’s just say I don’t like seeing anyone treated unfairly.” He paused, “And my name is Lexi; you look beautiful, by the way.” I blushed unexpectedly at his remark.

“Thanks. I’m Gina, Gina Penelope.” He mouthed an ‘oh’ and was about to talk when someone interrupted, pulling me to himself.

“What are you doing with my wife?” Christian asked sharply. I closed my eyes, trying to control my anger, but it didn’t work as I pushed him off.

“Now I’m your wife?” I scoffed, I didn’t understand why I would be treated this way, why I would be treated like trash.

“When you left me out there without any hope of survival and took your mistress inside, did you ever acknowledge me as your wife?”

“Gina…” I pulled my hands up stopping him from saying anything.

“I’m done with this, I’m done being treated like I’m nothing. I’ve given you chances, Christian,, but you aren’t taking them, so I’ll be letting you go.”

“I’m divorcing you, Christian, and I mean it this time.” Before he could respond, Celine appeared out of nowhere, sliding herself between us like she’d rehearsed it. Her hand snaked around his waist, and she tilted her head to look up at him, her voice sugary sweet.

“Oh, Christian, I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” She purred, resting her cheek against his arm like they were the ones married.

I couldn’t take it anymore. Without a word, I stood up and walked away, leaving them to their twisted version of happiness.

Finding an empty table in the corner, I sat down, letting the quiet settle over me. I took the champagne I had taken from the waitress earlier and sipped a bit from it.

“Hey, you again.”

I turned at the sound of the familiar voice. Standing behind me, with that same easy smile, was Lexi, the man who had stood up for me earlier.

“Oh,” I said, surprised. “Hi. And thank you again for earlier. I’m sorry for all the drama.”

“It’s fine.” He said, pulling out a chair and sitting across from me without waiting for an invitation.

“Well, Gina, it’s a pleasure to officially meet you. Can I join you?”

“Of course,” I said, gesturing to the seat across from me.

We began talking, and to my surprise, it wasn’t awkward or forced. Lexi was easy to talk to, his confidence tempered with a kindness that made me feel at ease.

I wasn’t feeling too good, so I stood up after saying bye to Lexi, attempting to leave, just then Christian and Celine appeared.

“Gina, how could you do that to Celine?” He suddenly asked; I raised my brow at his question, not understanding him.