Chapter 5 - The Contract Shattered
Vivienne looked at Damien, her face turning a deep shade of red. "Damien... is this true? She's a multi-millionaire? And you... you lied to me? You told me you were the one who funded her lifestyle before the divorce!"
"Vivienne, darling, let me explain—" Damien pleaded, reaching for her hand.
"Get away from me!" she yelled, slapping his hand away.
Arthur Sterling stepped between them, pulling a document from his assistant's folder. "There will be no wedding today, Damien. The prenuptial agreement you signed was based on the financial disclosures you provided. My lawyers have spent the last hour reviewing your past, and it seems you lied about your assets, your debt, and your history of domestic abandonment."
"Arthur, please!" Damien begged, falling to his knees. "I love Vivienne! I can explain everything!"
"We are done," Arthur said coldly. "And as of this moment, my company is pulling all funding from your real estate firm. You are bankrupt, Damien."
I watched him grovel on the floor of the chapel. It was the exact same floor where, moments ago, he had expected to watch me humiliate myself.
I looked down at my children. Leo was watching Damien with a look of quiet curiosity, while Chloe was hiding behind my dress, holding onto the silk fabric.
"Let's go, my loves," I whispered to them. "We've seen enough."
"Adriana! Wait!" Damien cried out, scrambling toward me on his knees. "They're my children too! We can be a family! I was wrong, I was stupid! Please, let me help raise them!"
I stopped and looked down at him.
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"You told me I failed as a wife because I couldn't give you the life you deserved," I said softly. "But the truth is, Damien, you were the one holding me back. You don't get to claim the fruits of a labor you tried to destroy."
I turned my back on him, walking down the aisle with my head held high, my children by my side.
