Chapter 3

The next day, when I was nearly numb from the cold, the door to the freezer finally opened.

A bodyguard stood at the entrance, expressionless. "Mr. Blackwood says if there's a next time, the punishment won't be this light."

I braced myself against the wall and staggered out, trembling like a leaf in the wind. Even my teeth were chattering.

There wouldn't be a next time.

Soon, I would make sure he was completely gone from my life.

That evening, Landon's assistant delivered a gown and matching jewelry, saying there was a charity auction gala I needed to attend as the hostess.

I went.

And at the entrance to the ballroom, I saw Ava.

She wore a custom couture dress, a dazzling diamond necklace around her neck—the very one Landon had bought at Sotheby's last month for eight figures.

I stopped and looked at him. "She's here too. Why do you still need me?"

His expression was indifferent. "I wasn't planning to bring her, but she's never been to an event like this. She wanted to see it, so I brought her."

He paused, his tone casual, like he was talking about the weather. "Don't be petty."

My body trembled slightly.

I wasn't being petty.

He simply hadn't considered how humiliating it would be for his wife and his mistress to appear together in public—how I would become the subject of ridicule.

Landon walked straight inside with Ava, her arm looped around his, smiling sweetly like a princess.

Whispers rose immediately around us.

"Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood look so perfect together."

"You've got the wrong person. That's Mrs. Blackwood over there. The one beside him... that's just his latest mistress."

The speaker glanced at me awkwardly and fell silent. "Oh... but he treats that one so well. She's in couture, while the wife is in ready-to-wear... no wonder people get confused."

I clenched my fingers, my nails digging deep into my palm.

When the auction began, I raised my paddle and bid casually on a few items.

But no matter what I bid on, Ava would raise the price by just one hundred dollars.

Muted laughter rippled through the room.

"The wife getting bullied by the mistress... now that's a first."

I remained expressionless and made a gesture to the auctioneer.

In the auction world, it meant I would take the item at any cost—no upper limit.

Ava's face turned pale. She tugged on Landon's sleeve, her voice trembling. "Landon, I really like that one..."

Landon frowned and looked at me. "Let her have it."

"No."

"She doesn't have the right to bid without limits, but I do. Because I'm your wife. Legally, marital assets are shared." I turned to Ava, my gaze sharp with mockery. "No matter how much he gives you, you'll never be on my level."

Ava's eyes instantly filled with tears. She shot to her feet. "You—"

The next second, she covered her face and burst into tears. "That's right... you're his wife... I'm just a mistress who can't be seen in the light. I shouldn't have dreamed of anything more... Landon... we should break up."

She turned and ran out.

Landon's expression changed instantly. He grabbed my wrist, his grip so tight it felt like my bones would crack. "I told you I'd get bored of her eventually. Did you have to push her away?!"

I looked at him calmly. "Whether she leaves or stays has nothing to do with me."

His eyes darkened. He let go of me and strode after her.

I stood there alone, surrounded by gazes filled with mockery, pity, and schadenfreude.

But I didn't care.

I would be leaving soon anyway.

But the next morning, a news alert on my phone jolted me awake.

"Breaking: Blackwood Group Chairman Renames Charity Foundation After Mistress, Replacing Legal Wife"

The accompanying photo was from last night's auction. Ava, wearing the diamond necklace, leaned against Landon.

The report detailed how Landon had announced that the children's heart disease charity foundation—originally named after me, Eleanor—would officially be renamed the Ava Hope Foundation.

That foundation...

I had created it with him after my father was diagnosed with heart failure.

It carried my prayers and hopes for my father. It was meant to help others like him suffering from heart disease.

It had also been one of the symbols of our love.

In that instant, all the blood in my body seemed to freeze.