The Invisible Wife-Dump Him for $18.80

Chapter 2

"Lexa, Serena and I have a plan," Gabriel said, his voice smooth, patient, like he was explaining basic math to a child. "After the wedding, we'll stage a quiet breakup. Give it a year at most, and then I'll finally tell the world you're my wife."

He reached for my hand, his expression almost pleading. "This is all for us, for our future. Can't you see that?"

I let out a laugh, sharp, bitter.

I was already his wife. On paper. In law. But here I was, tucked away in the shadows, waiting for my own husband to grant me the recognition that was already mine.

Meanwhile, for Serena, everything came easy.

When they first started their little PR romance, she was just some rookie actress. His fans had torn into her, relentless and vicious.

So Gabriel played the role of the devoted boyfriend, suing anyone who dared insult her.

At a gala, when reporters pushed for confirmation, he didn't deny it. No, he owned it. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her, right there, under the blinding camera flashes.

The room erupted in applause.

And me? I sat in the audience, watching my husband kiss another woman, disguised as his assistant.

Later, he brushed it off like it was nothing. "Just business, babe. The company planned it."

But the act never ended. Public dates, luxury vacations, even private gatherings, she was always by his side. He didn't even pretend to invite me anymore.

Eventually, even our mutual friends believed the lie.

Tears burned in my eyes, but Gabriel wiped them away like it was a minor inconvenience. "Don't listen to them, Lexa. You're my wife. What other people think doesn't matter."

Then, as if that was enough to fix everything, he leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. Those dark, expressive eyes, the same ones that had fooled me a thousand times before, searched my face, waiting for me to fold like I always did.

But this time?

I didn't move.

"Let's sleep," I murmured, pulling the blanket over my head.

I felt him hesitate. Then, a sigh. The bed dipped as he lay beside me, his arm settling around my waist like nothing had changed.

In the dim light, the cold gleam of our wedding rings flickered for a brief second before disappearing into the dark.

And for the first time, I really understood.

I had already lost.