Part 3My Husband and the Ghost of His Youth

Before I could react, a sudden, blinding slap across my face made my head swim.

I swallowed the metallic taste of blood and sneered, “Is this the new foreplay?”

Declan scoffed, then threw a pile of glossy photographs at my face.

The pictures showed Sally half-dressed, dancing suggestively with other men. In one shot from the auction, she was on a stage, allowing herself to be publicly bid on.

“You knew I was taking Sally to that private auction, and you had the audacity to drug her! You ruined her reputation!” Declan’s veins were bulging on his forehead.

I remembered when a client had groped my leg at a business dinner, and Declan had only advised me to “be subtle” for the sake of the deal, never offering an explanation or apology.

But Sally merely suffered a public embarrassment, and he was completely unhinged.

I pressed my lips together, fighting the bitter burn. “I have better things to do than to orchestrate your mistress’s humiliation.”

Just then, Sally rushed out of the car, dissolving into a theatrically shaky, tearful mess.

“Mrs. Rhys, the server said you bought me the drinks! I didn’t know you’d hurt me like this! Waaaah… I can’t face anyone now! Just put me out of my misery!”

She grabbed my hand and started hitting herself with it.

Declan looked at me with pure, unadulterated contempt.

“April, what do you have to say for yourself now?”

“I’ve spoiled you rotten! First, you fabricate a lover to provoke me, and now you attack Sally. You are truly hopeless!”

His cold stare pierced me, leaving me feeling utterly exhausted. “I said I didn’t! I don’t care what games you play outside! I stopped caring a long time ago!”

A flicker of surprise crossed Declan’s face.

Then, Sally opened her phone and began a live stream, making a show of ripping her clothes.

“That’s right! I lied! I falsely accused Mrs. Rhys! I’m the one who’s trashy and wants to sell myself! I’ll start now!”

Her performance of faux desperation instantly flustered Declan.

He grabbed her arm tightly, his face etched with genuine, sickening concern. “I know it’s not your fault, Sally. Don’t do anything crazy.”

The next second, his lethal gaze landed back on me.

“You are the one who messed up! Why don’t you stream yourself taking your clothes off? One piece, ten thousand dollars.”

I stared up at him, my voice a painful rasp. “You want me to live-stream a striptease?”

“Declan Rhys, dream on! I don’t need your dirty money!”

Declan let out a cold laugh, pulling out his own phone and performing a quick transaction.

Immediately, my mother’s hospital called, their tone frantic.

“Mrs. Hale, our system is showing your account is frozen. We can’t delay your mother’s procedure any longer!”