Chapter 2 Billionaire perfect betrayal

Chapter 2 – Betrayal and Humiliation

Ava barely registered the flashing cameras or the low murmurs turning into full-blown whispers around her. The words still echoed in her head, sharp and unforgiving.

"Effective immediately, Ava Sinclair and I have decided to separate. We ask for privacy during this transition."

Lucas's voice had been calm. Too calm. No hesitation. No regret. Like he hadn't just ripped her world apart in front of hundreds of people.

Her fingers trembled as she gripped the edge of the nearest table, her heart pounding in her chest. This wasn't real. It couldn't be.

Ava's world had just been turned upside down. Her husband-the man she'd loved and trusted with every fiber of her being-had just announced their separation to the entire city. And the worst part? He hadn't even warned her. No heads-up, no hint, no nothing.

Just a public declaration that their marriage was over. Ava felt like she'd been punched in the gut. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think. All she could do was sit there, her mind reeling with questions.

Why had he done it? Why hadn't he told her? And what was she supposed to do now?

The room spun for a second before she forced herself to take a slow, steady breath. No. She wasn't going to break. Not here.

Ava pushed through the crowd, ignoring the stares, the pitying glances, the reporters already scrambling for their cameras. The whispers followed her, slicing into her like knives.

"Did you know about this?"

"She looks blindsided."

"Poor thing. And at a gala? That's brutal."

She spotted him near the entrance, speaking to a few business associates, looking completely unaffected. As if he hadn't just publicly discarded her like an accessory gone out of style.

Her heels clicked sharply against the marble floor as she closed the distance between them. She barely registered the murmurs that followed.

"Lucas!"

He turned, blue eyes flickering with something unreadable before he schooled his expression. "Ava, not here."

"Not here?" Her voice rose, her anger barely leashed. "Then where, Lucas? When exactly were you planning to tell me that my marriage was over?"

A few nearby guests stilled, pretending not to listen-but it was too late. The scandal was already unfolding.

Lucas exhaled, jaw tight. "I'll explain later."

Ava let out a sharp, bitter laugh. "Later? You just blindsided me in front of the entire damn city, and you think I'll just wait for an explanation?"

Before he could answer, another voice chimed in, smooth and laced with amusement.

"Oh, Ava. Causing a scene already?"

Her stomach clenched.

She didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

Charlotte.

Ava forced herself to breathe, to keep her expression neutral as she turned to face her sister. Charlotte stood there, too put together, too smug, sipping champagne like she was enjoying the show.

"Stay out of this, Charlotte," Ava said, voice cold.

Charlotte arched a brow, feigning innocence. "I'm just concerned. It's all so tragic, really. Your perfect marriage crumbling in front of everyone." She sighed, shaking her head. "And those rumors..."

Ava's pulse spiked. "What rumors?"

Charlotte's smile widened. "Oh, you haven't heard?" She tilted her head, eyes gleaming with something too calculated to be genuine. "The media is buzzing with stories about your affair."

Ava stiffened. "You're lying."

Charlotte shrugged. "Am I?"

Ava's hands trembled as she yanked out her phone, unlocking it in one quick motion. Notifications flooded the screen.

Headlines flashed before her eyes:

Ava Sinclair: The Billionaire's Wife with a Secret Lover?

Inside the Scandal: Did Ava Cheat First?

Sources Say Lucas Sinclair Endured His Wife's Betrayal for Years!

Her stomach twisted.

This wasn't just a random rumor. It was planted. Spun so perfectly that it painted Lucas as the victim and her as the villain.

Ava's grip tightened around the phone as she looked up at her sister, rage bubbling beneath her skin. "You did this."

Charlotte took a slow sip of her drink. "Come on, Ava. You know how the game works. If you don't control the narrative, someone else will. Consider this... payback."

Ava's breath came faster, her mind racing. Payback?

Charlotte had always been ruthless, but this? This was war.

Ava was still reeling from her sister's shocking betrayal. She hadn't even had a chance to wrap her head around it before Lucas spoke up. His voice was like a knife, slicing through the thick tension in the room.

"What's going on here?" Lucas asked, his eyes scanning the room. Ava's sister looked guilty, avoiding eye contact with everyone. Ava just felt numb, like she'd been punched in the gut.

Lucas's question hung in the air, waiting for an answer. But nobody seemed willing to provide one. The room was silent, except for the sound of Lucas's shoes echoing off the floor as he walked closer to Ava.

"Someone need to tell me what's going on," Lucas pressed, his voice firm but controlled. Ava's sister finally spoke up, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry, Ava. I didn't mean to hurt you." But the damage was already done.

"Enough."

Ava turned back to him, waiting-hoping-for him to say something, to defend her. To tell the world that none of this was true.

To at least look at her and say something.

But instead, he pulled out a crisp white envelope and held it out to her.

"Ava, this is for you."

She didn't take it. Her heart pounded so loudly she could barely hear. "What is that?"

Lucas met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "Divorce papers."

The words hit like a slap.

Ava inhaled sharply, her nails digging into her palm. "You can't be serious."

But he was. Completely. Utterly. Serious.

Her world tilted.

He wasn't just leaving her.

He was erasing her.

The whispers grew louder, but all Ava could hear was the rush of blood in her ears.

Charlotte smirked. Lucas stared at her with that same detached expression.

And that's when it hit her.

She had lost.

No.

No, she hadn't.

Lucas wanted to destroy her?

Charlotte wanted to humiliate her?

Fine.

But they had no idea who they were dealing with.

Ava straightened her shoulders, her grip on the phone tightening. She felt her mask slip into place, the cold, ruthless composure she had honed over years in the business world.

She wouldn't cry. Not here. Not ever.

Slowly, she took the envelope from Lucas, her fingers steady.

She met his gaze-calm, unreadable.

And then she smiled.

Not a warm smile. Not a defeated one.

A smile that made even Charlotte's smirk falter.

"Thank you, Lucas," Ava said smoothly, her voice laced with something dangerous.

"For making this easier than I thought."

Lucas's brows furrowed slightly, like he hadn't expected that reaction.

Good.

Let him wonder. Let both of them wonder.

Because if they thought this was the end of Ava Sinclair, they were dead wrong.

This wasn't just a divorce.

This was the beginning of their downfall.

And Ava?

She was going to make them regret underestimating her.

As Ava walks away, her phone vibrates. A message from an unknown number pops up.

"I have information on Lucas. You're going to want to see this."

Ava's pulse spikes.

Oh.

Now things were getting interesting.