Chapter 6 Charity Gala

Chapter Six

Elena was having breakfast alone on Wednesday morning when Mrs. Kaelthorn walked into the house without knocking. She was wearing a white suit and diamonds, looking like she owned the world.

"Elena," Mrs. Kaelthorn said coldly. "Go get dressed. We have a charity event to attend."

Elena looked up from her coffee. "A charity event?"

"The Annual Children's Hospital Gala," Mrs. Kaelthorn said. "Tonight at the Grand Ballroom. You will attend as Jack's wife."

"I don't know if Jack wants me there," Elena said quietly.

Mrs. Kaelthorn smiled cruelly. "Jack doesn't know you're coming. But the Kaelthorn family must present a united front. People expect to see Jack's wife."

Elena felt trapped. "What should I wear?"

"Something simple," Mrs. Kaelthorn said dismissively. "You don't want to embarrass yourself by trying too hard."

That afternoon, Elena went through her closet looking for something appropriate. She chose a navy blue dress that was elegant but not flashy. She did her makeup carefully and styled her hair in a simple bun.

When Elena arrived at the Grand Ballroom, she was shocked by how beautiful everything looked. The room was decorated with white flowers and gold lights. Everyone was wearing expensive gowns and suits.

Elena saw Jack immediately. He was standing at the front of the room in a black tuxedo, looking handsome and powerful. But he wasn't alone.

Victoria was beside him, wearing a stunning gold dress that sparkled under the lights. She looked like a princess. Her hair was styled perfectly and her makeup was flawless.

Elena's heart sank. Victoria was Jack's date to the charity event.

"Elena!" Mrs. Kaelthorn appeared beside her. "Come. Let me introduce you to some people."

Mrs. Kaelthorn led Elena through the crowd. But instead of introducing Elena as Jack's wife, she introduced her as "the girl Jack felt sorry for."

"This is Elena," Mrs. Kaelthorn told a group of wealthy women. "You remember the orphan girl who saved Jack from that fire? He married her out of gratitude."

The women looked at Elena with pity and curiosity. Elena's face burned with embarrassment.

"How charitable of Jack," one woman said. "Not many men would marry out of obligation."

"Yes, well, Jack has always been too kind for his own good," Mrs. Kaelthorn replied. "But thankfully, he's found his way back to the appropriate company."

She pointed toward Victoria, who was laughing with a group of important business people.

"Victoria Ravencrest," Mrs. Kaelthorn continued. "From the shipping family. She's the kind of woman Jack should have married in the first place."

Elena wanted to disappear. Everyone was looking at her like she was a charity case herself.

The event started with speeches about helping sick children. Jack walked onto the stage and the crowd applauded. He looked confident and successful.

"Thank you all for coming tonight," Jack said into the microphone. "The Children's Hospital is close to my heart because I believe every child deserves a chance at life."

Elena felt tears coming. Jack talked about children like they were precious gifts. But he couldn't even look at Elena without disappointment because she couldn't give him any.

"Tonight, I want to thank someone very special," Jack continued. "Someone who has brought joy back into my life and reminds me what's truly important."

Elena's heart jumped. Was Jack going to mention her?

"Victoria Ravencrest," Jack said with a warm smile. "Please come up here."

Elena felt like she'd been punched. Jack called Victoria onto the stage in front of hundreds of people.

Victoria walked onto the stage gracefully. She looked like she belonged there. The crowd applauded loudly.

"Victoria has agreed to become the new chairwoman of our children's charity," Jack announced. "Her passion for helping others and her business experience make her perfect for this role."

Elena watched Jack look at Victoria with pride and admiration. He had never looked at Elena that way in public.

"Victoria will be working very closely with me on all future charity events," Jack continued. "I can't think of anyone I'd rather partner with."

Partner. Jack called Victoria his partner in front of everyone.

"Thank you, Jack," Victoria said into the microphone. "I'm honored to work with such an amazing man. Together, we're going to help so many children."

Together. They were a team now.

The crowd applauded again. Elena felt invisible standing in the back of the room.

After the speeches, people mingled and drank champagne. Elena tried to approach Jack, but he was surrounded by important people congratulating him and Victoria.

"Elena!" A familiar voice called out. Elena turned and saw three women from her wedding day. Jack's cousins' wives.

"We didn't expect to see you here," one of them said with fake sweetness.

"Jack's been so busy lately," another added. "We heard he's been spending time with Victoria Ravencrest. She's so accomplished."

"Yes," the third one said. "Victoria speaks five languages and has a business degree from Lysandria. Very impressive."

Elena nodded quietly, feeling smaller with every word.

"It must be hard for you," the first woman continued. "Being married to someone so successful when you come from nothing."

"I try my best," Elena said softly.

"Your best?" The second woman laughed. "Honey, your best isn't enough for a man like Jack. He needs someone who can match his level."

Elena felt tears starting but tried to hold them back.

"Look at Victoria," the third woman said, pointing across the room. "She's networking with the city's most powerful people. She knows how to handle herself in high society."

Elena looked over and saw Victoria surrounded by wealthy women, all laughing at her stories. Victoria fit in perfectly while Elena felt like an outsider.

"The Kaelthorn family deserves better," the first woman said bluntly.

"Excuse me," Elena whispered, walking away quickly.

Elena found a quiet corner where she could hide. She watched Jack and Victoria move through the party like the perfect couple. Everyone wanted to talk to them. Everyone admired them.

Mrs. Kaelthorn appeared beside Elena again. "See how well Victoria fits in? She's everything you're not."

"I know," Elena said quietly.

"Jack announced her as his partner tonight," Mrs. Kaelthorn continued. "In front of all the most important people in the city. Do you understand what that means?"

Elena understood. Jack was publicly choosing Victoria over her.

"This is your last warning," Mrs. Kaelthorn said coldly. "Divorce Jack before he divorces you. Save yourself the public humiliation."

Elena watched Jack dancing with Victoria on the dance floor. They moved together perfectly, like they had been partners their whole lives. Jack was smiling and laughing in a way Elena had never seen.

Other couples on the dance floor made space for them. Everyone could see that Jack and Victoria were the real power couple at the event.

Elena had never felt more alone. She was Jack's legal wife, but Victoria was the woman everyone accepted as his true partner.

Elena left the party early without saying goodbye to anyone. She drove home to their empty house and sat in their bedroom, still wearing her simple navy dress.

Elena looked at herself in the mirror. Next to Victoria's gold gown and perfect style, Elena looked plain and forgettable.

Her phone buzzed with social media notifications. Pictures from the charity event were already online. Photo after photo of Jack and Victoria looking perfect together.

The captions made Elena's heart break:

"Jack Kaelthorn and Victoria Ravencrest, the new power couple."

"Perfect match for Vaelthorne City's most eligible bachelor."

"Finally, Jack found someone worthy of him."

Not one photo included Elena. She had been completely erased from Jack's public life.

Elena turned off her phone and cried until she fell asleep on top of the expensive bedsheets that felt like ice.

Ten more days until Dr. Mortaine returned. But Elena was starting to think it wouldn't matter. Jack had already chosen his real wife in front of the entire city.

And it wasn't Elena.