The Invisible Wife-Dump Him for $18.80

Chapter 8

I figured that would be the last time I'd see Gabriel. After everything, there was no way he'd have the nerve to show up again.

But the next day, the doorbell rang. When I opened it, there he was, standing there with a handful of stuff and an awkward, remorseful smile on his face.

"Lexa," he started softly, "I spent the whole night thinking about everything, and I realized how badly I've messed up."

He hesitated, then added, "I know it's probably too late to fix anything, but please… just let me try to make it right."

I tilted my head, studying him. This was new, Gabriel Whitmore, humble and pleading. I almost wanted to see how far he was willing to go.

"I know your stomach's sensitive," he said, lifting the lid from the bowl. "I made you some porridge myself. It's seafood porridge, with the freshest ingredients."

The smell hit me like a ton of bricks. My stomach turned, and I didn't even hesitate to knock the bowl out of his hands. Hot soup splashed across his skin, making him flinch.

"Why?" His voice trembled as he tried to hold back tears. "What's the matter?"

"Did you forget I'm allergic to seafood?" I said, my voice icy.

Serena was the one who loved seafood. I remembered her bragging in interviews: "Gabe knows I love seafood, so he gets it flown in from Europe just for me."

Gabriel froze, his face going pale. His lips moved, but no sound came out.

"Admit it, Gabriel," I said, my smile bitter. "Your heart hasn't been mine for a long time."

"It's not true…" he whispered, almost desperately.

I turned away. "This sudden effort to win me back? It's not love. It's guilt. If I hadn't shown you my diagnosis, you'd still think everything was my fault."

"Lexa…" His voice cracked, full of regret. "I never, "

I cut him off, my voice sharp. "So tell me, Gabriel, should I wait another year? Stand by while you marry Serena and start a family? Should I just sit here and wait for you to toss me aside again?"

"Lexa…" His voice broke, and he trailed off, defeated. "You've always been my one true wife. I'll leave Serena. I'll devote my life to you."

I let out a harsh laugh, empty of humor. "Too bad. I have standards. I don't want a man who's already been used."

"Now, leave," I snapped, slamming the door in his face.

I never saw Gabriel Whitmore again.

His public fallout with Serena Sterling became the scandal of the year.

But what I didn't expect was how far his family would go to clean up his image.

My in-laws went on national TV, claiming that Gabriel had kept me hidden because I was promiscuous and abusive toward them. Gabriel stayed silent, even liking their posts on social media.

Luckily, the truth came out. Staff from Golden Horizon Care Center spoke up for me.

"For three years, Lexa came here every day, rain or shine. She was always kind, always patient. It was the Whitmores who were abusive toward her."

"They didn't mistreat her. They mistreated her."

With no room left for lies, Gabriel's career collapsed. Sponsors dropped him. His studio dissolved. His millions disappeared overnight.

That night, I got an anonymous message: a signed divorce contract.

"Lexa, can you forgive me?"

I deleted the message without a second thought and went back to working on my screenplay.

Forgiveness?

No. Gabriel had simply gotten what he deserved.