Chapter 5

The crowd erupted in a chorus of shocked gasps. Harlow's body went rigid. She knew, without even looking, who was really in those photos.

Brittaney, for all her cunning, had made enemies. Someone was taking their revenge, and they were aiming to destroy her.

Brittaney's face was as white as a sheet. She clutched Kaden's arm, her eyes wide with panic.

Kaden calmly patted her hand. Then, he pulled a pistol from his jacket and fired a single shot into the ceiling.

The room fell silent.

He strolled over to Harlow, a lazy, dangerous smile on his face. He picked up a photo from the floor.

"Well, Harlow," he said, his voice carrying through the silent room. "Care to explain this?"

Every eye in the room turned to her, sharp and accusing.

Harlow took a deep breath, fighting to control the tremor in her body. "That is not me," she said, her voice clear and strong. "Look closely, Kaden."

The entire room held its breath, waiting.

Kaden glanced at the photo again, then back at Harlow. His smile widened, but it didn't reach his cold eyes. "You're right," he said. "This photo is of the lady of the house." He paused, letting the implication sink in. "So if this is her... then who are you?"

It was a masterstroke of cruelty. With one question, he had confirmed to the entire world that the woman in the photos was his wife, Harlow Love.

The whispers exploded again, this time laced with venom.

"I knew it! She looks so quiet and prim, but she's a whore in private!"

"No wonder he prefers Brittaney. What a disgrace."

The vile words washed over her, and for a moment, she felt like she was drowning. She opened her mouth to defend herself, to scream the truth, but Kaden grabbed her wrist and dragged her from the club.

Back in the car, he finally spoke. "Brittaney is a single woman. A scandal like this would ruin her. You're my wife. No one will dare to say anything for long. You'll just have to endure it."

Harlow felt like she had been struck by lightning. "Endure it?" she choked out, her voice cracking with disbelief. "You're going to destroy my reputation-my life-to protect her?"

"Don't be dramatic," he snapped, his brow furrowed in annoyance. "You're Mrs. Barnes. Your reputation is tied to mine. It will recover."

"My reputation? My honor? Does that mean nothing to you?" she cried, her rage finally boiling over. "A woman's innocence is all she has! Are you trying to destroy me completely?"

Kaden slammed on the brakes, pulling the car to the side of the road. He turned to face her, his eyes blazing with a cold, terrifying fire.

"Yes," he said, his voice a low, chilling whisper. "For Brittaney, I would sacrifice anything. Or anyone. And that includes you."

The words pierced through the last of her defenses. There was no hope. There never had been.

She knew this. She had always known this. She remembered knitting him a sweater, only for him to toss it aside with a sneer because Brittaney said the color was ugly. She remembered getting a blessing for his safety from a temple, only to see the charm hanging from Brittaney's purse a week later.

He had never truly seen her.

He didn't love her.

A broken, tear-filled laugh escaped her lips. She turned away from him, staring out the window as silent tears streamed down her face, soaking the collar of her dress.

For the next few days, Brittaney was a nervous wreck, terrified the scandal would stick to her.

"Kaden, what if people find out?" she'd whine.

"I've taken care of it," he would soothe, pulling her into his arms. "No one will dare to speak of it again."

Harlow watched them, her heart a hollow cavern. She said nothing. She just moved through the days like a ghost, waiting for her chance to go to the main house and finalize her escape.

Finally, she decided she couldn't wait any longer. She put on her coat, ready to walk to the estate if she had to.

"Harlow."

Kaden's voice stopped her at the door.