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He Tested My Worth, Cheating Proved Me Right
NovelShort
Hoàn thành
We’d been married for three years, yet my husband, Gerard Blanding, had never once let me into his study. He kept his guard up around me in every possible way… because I was just the wife he bough...
Chương (6)
第1章
We’d been married for three years, yet my husband, Gerard Blanding, had never once let me into his study. He kept his guard up around me in every possible way… because I was just the wife he bought for five million dollars.
And yet, I accepted it willingly… because I had secretly loved him for five long years.
Three months ago, he gave me a list—sixty-six tests I had to pass. “If you can get through every one of them,” he said, “then we’ll finally be a real couple.”
I was just about to complete the sixty-sixth when I got a call from the police.
“Hello, Vikki Blanding? Your husband’s been arrested for soliciting prostitution. Please come to the station to cooperate with the situation.”
It felt like a bolt of lightning struck me. Still refusing to believe it, I grabbed my keys and rushed to the station.
Inside, Gerard sat with his head lowered, trying to act cute as he begged for forgiveness.
“Hey, I know I messed up, okay? I won’t drag you into my nonsense anymore, I swear. I already did everything you asked—took the punishment, made it up to you and Vikki. Come on, smile for me.”
Tessa’s voice was soft and playful, her eyes still red as she finally smiled through her tears.
“Alright then, it’s a deal. From now on, you have to listen to me. When I tell you to stop, you stop. And also—”
Gerard nodded over and over like a fool, then leaned in and kissed her.
When I arrived at the police station, I didn’t see either of them. After asking around, I learned they had already left for an amusement park.
I overheard a young cop grumbling under his breath.
“Man, rich people really have their own kind of fun. Just to make his side chick happy, that guy actually let himself get arrested for soliciting, and then had his wife come bail him out.”
“They’re practically regulars here. The first time, they got in a fight over some sexy couple photos. The second time, she claimed the custom diamond necklace he bought her gave her an allergic reaction and accused him of trying to kill her. The third time, they came back from a trip and she cried about almost being trafficked… None of it’s trouble. They just love showing off.”
I turned around and walked out.
Like I didn’t already know about their dirty little scandals.
But none of it mattered anymore.
Those few years of my youth—I’d just count them as something I gave him.
One month from now, I’d be gone for good.
Vikki’s POV
Late that night, an unfamiliar call jolted me awake. I picked it up, still half-asleep.
“Hello? Is this Vikki Blanding? Your husband’s drunk out of his mind. Please come pick him up from Starshine Club.”
Before I could even respond, the line went dead. I didn’t catch the sound of laughter and chatter on the other end.
I got dressed and rushed to the club. Standing outside the private room, I hesitated, wondering if I should knock.
Then I heard Tessa’s bright, teasing voice ring out through the door.
“Vikki should be on her way by now! Usually, it doesn’t even take her half an hour. She comes running like a dog, terrified some other woman will steal her husband away.”
The people inside burst into laughter, joining in one after another.
“Everyone knows Gerard only really loves you, Tessa. If you hadn’t left the country three years ago, that woman would’ve never gotten her chance. You have no idea—he doesn’t even take her to our parties or let us call her sister-in-law.”
“Stop now, seriously. Talking about her just ruins the mood. I bet she’ll be here in twenty minutes.”
“Forty!”
“Come on, she’s never missed a single call to pick him up. This time won’t be any different.”
I stood there for a long moment in silence. Then I pushed open the heavy door.
“This is the last time,” I said quietly.
Every head turned toward me. For a moment, they all froze, but not one of them looked ashamed.
“Come sit,” Gerard said calmly, motioning to the seat beside him.
I looked at him. His eyes were clear, no trace of drunkenness. So it was just another performance.
“Gerard,” I said evenly, “this is the last time. Next time you drink yourself to death, I won’t give a damn anymore.”
My gaze fell on the couch beside him. Scattered on the leather were pink panties, a lacy bra that barely covered anything, and an unopened box of condoms.
My voice shook with the anger I could no longer hold back.
“You’re disgusting! You’re sleeping with your own stepsister. Aren’t you afraid of karma?”
My words were sharp, but Gerard just smirked, spinning a pack of cigarettes between his fingers. “Really? Maybe you should worry about yourself first. You think you’re not disgusting?”
The way he looked at me made my skin crawl. Suddenly, my mind went hazy, and I sneezed, catching a strange, unfamiliar scent.
I shook my head in disbelief. “What did you put in this room?”
A blond guy lounging nearby pointed at a small bouquet in his hand.
“It’s just gardenias. We all smell it fine. Only you think it’s weird.”
I let out a dry laugh.
Great. He already forgot I was allergic to pollen. And that smell? Definitely not just from the flower. It was some kind of aphrodisiac, for sure.
I just didn’t want to argue with him anymore. I stumbled toward the door, dragging my unsteady body with me.
Just then, the door kicked open.
“Police! Hands where we can see them! All of you!”
The young officer leading the raid went down the line, checking everyone one by one.
I crouched in a corner, watching as the escorts were marched out.
“Officer, there’s one more over here!” Tessa proclaimed, her voice clear and triumphant.
I looked down at the prohibited items that had somehow ended up on me and had no idea how to explain it.
“This is a misunderstanding! This is a misunderstanding!” I protested. “I came here with Gerard!”
The officer’s skeptical eyes swept over me, then locked onto Gerard.
“You know her? Tell the truth.”
第2章
Vikki’s POV
Gerard shook his head like he was watching a show. Everyone else in the VIP room followed his lead, pretending they didn’t even know me.
“Who is she? I’ve never seen her before. Probably just another hostess. You should look into it, Officer. None of us even know when these people came in.”
“Yeah, we’ve never seen her before! Officer, you’d better teach her a lesson. She keeps shamelessly trying to seduce my husband!”
As the police led me away, I looked back at Gerard in despair. From the faint look in his eyes, I knew this was just another one of his so-called ‘tests.’
They took me to the station and locked me in a holding cell for three days and three nights. No one cared enough to ask about me.
When I finally dragged my weak body home, I pushed open the door and froze.
There, kneeling on the floor, was a middle-aged woman scrubbing at an invisible stain.
Gerard sat on the couch nearby, watching her like a supervisor.
I rushed over and helped the woman up, my heart aching. “Mom! What are you doing? I told you, we have a housekeeper for this. You don’t have to do this.”
For a moment, she looked happy to see me. “Good, you’re back! Come help me polish this vase. It’s brand new. It costs a million! You’d better be careful.”
Before I knew it, she shoved a rag into my hand.
I stared at Gerard suspiciously. “What did you tell my mom this time?”
But before he could answer, someone else caught my eye—a woman stepping out of the master bedroom wearing my pajamas. Tessa.
Even more surprising than her presence was a boy of about three years old next to her.
“Acee, go call him Daddy. He’s your real father.”
She held his small hand, looking at him earnestly, but the boy just stayed silent.
“Alright, don’t force him.” Gerard’s tone was cold but final. “From now on, you two can stay here as long as you want. No one can drive you away.”
His eyes swept over me like a blade, carrying an unspoken warning.
I stared at the two new faces in the villa, barely able to breathe. “You’re cheating on me? And you have a child?!”
My voice came out cold and full of disbelief. Then I noticed the details—the padded corners of the furniture, the safety guards around the room.
Clearly, it had all been prepared long before.
“Gerard,” I said, “have you completely lost your shame? It’s bad enough you cheated, but a child? Aren’t you afraid of divine punishment?”
As soon as I said that, the boy suddenly shoved me hard. “Don’t you dare bully my daddy!”
“Vikki, what are you making a fuss about?” Mom snapped. “You were already lucky to marry the heir of the Blandings. And now, you’re still overstepping, sticking your nose in his business?”
Tears welled up at the corners of my eyes as I looked at my mom in disappointment.
Back when I married Gerard, Mom was ecstatic. She kept saying that with a rich son-in-law, she’d never have to worry about money again. She even asked him for a few million—sometimes openly, sometimes behind my back.
Tessa slightly pursed her red lips, then sat next to him with the boy, as if they were the perfect, happy family.
“Making a scene here won’t do you any good,” Gerard said.
He stroked the boy’s head affectionately, but his tone toward me left no room for argument.
I stayed calm, stood up, and headed upstairs toward the bedroom.
“Vikki,” Tessa called out. “Your things have already been moved to the storage room. That’s where you’ll be staying from now on.”
She grabbed my arm when I tried to leave. I looked into the dilapidated storage room—musty, rundown, and crawling with cockroaches. Thick dust coated every surface.
My belongings had been tossed in like garbage, and a conspicuous medicine bottle sat on top.
Gerard noticed it, too. He snatched it up, opened it, and he turned to me with a glare. “Where did this come from? Tessa even tried to defend you, but you… you slipper this aphrodisiac? The evidence is right here!”
“You really enjoy playing with drugs, huh? Fine. Let’s see how much fun you have this time,” he hissed.
I shook my head helplessly, but he didn’t believe me. He quickly ordered the bodyguards to lock me inside the guest room.
Not long after, sounds of unrestrained passion drifted from the master bedroom through the walls, echoing in my mind like a curse.
第3章
Vikki’s POV
The noise next door went on until three in the morning, keeping me wide awake and exhausted.
By dawn, my nerves were shot, and a sudden burst of shouting jolted me out of bed.
The door slammed open with a deafening bang. A small, round-faced child marched into my bedroom.
He started tugging at my hair and clothes, shouting, “Bad woman! You stole my daddy! I won’t let you! Get out of this house!”
I sat there, momentarily stunned.
I glanced out the window at the perfect pair outside. The memories of last night flashed through my mind, and something dark stirred inside me.
“Get out,” I said coldly. “Stop yelling in front of me. Your mommy and daddy won’t want you soon anyway—because they’ll be busy having new babies.”
The boy froze, then burst into tears, wailing at the top of his lungs.
“You’re a bad woman! I hate you!”
His cries quickly drew Tessa’s attention. She rushed into the room, scooping the child into her arms, cooing to comfort him while glaring at me.
“Gerard, Vikki’s gone too far this time! Taking it out on a kid? If she’s got a problem, she can come at me instead!”
And, as always, Gerard turned on me—furious, scolding me as if I’d committed some unforgivable sin.
“How could you fight a child? Didn’t I tell you before—no one can take your place as my wife? Why can’t you just listen? Sometimes I wonder if spending five million to marry you was even worth it.”
Before I could respond, he continued, his attention still fixed on Tessa and the boy.
“Acee likes cookies. Go bake him a few as an apology.”
I looked at the man standing before me, so tender and patient as he teased the child, and felt as though I was staring at a stranger.
“If you love that kid so much,” I said, “why don’t you bake the cookies yourself? Or does your love only ever stay in words?”
I had once asked him, more than once, if he wanted us to have a baby of our own. Every time, he refused.
Now, I understood—it wasn’t that he didn’t want a child. He just didn’t want me to be the one giving birth to them.
I got up, washed, and headed out.
Gerard glanced at me, assuming I’d gone to buy groceries, and said nothing.
It wasn’t until hours later, when I still hadn’t returned and the boy started crying from hunger, that Gerard finally lost his patience.
“Where the hell are you? Do you not think Acee’s starving? If you don’t come back soon, don’t bother stepping foot in this villa again. You’re unbelievably ungrateful!”
I ignored him completely.
Instead, I sat down with the divorce lawyer I had contacted, going over the agreement Gerard and I had signed in advance long ago.
As long as I submitted it to the county clerk’s office tomorrow morning, I’d have the divorce certificate.
“Vikki,” the lawyer said hesitantly, “this contract isn’t favorable to you at all. Are you sure you want to go through with the divorce?”
I didn’t answer. But I had never been more certain of anything in my life.
When I returned home, Tessa and Acee were gone.
Only Gerard remained, sitting on the couch, his expression clouded.
For the first time, he seemed to sense that something important was slipping away, and that he’d never get it back.
“You’re home,” he said. “Look—I bought you this bracelet. Do you like it? Don’t be mad anymore, alright? This was all part of my test for you. Once you’ve passed, we’ll finally be together forever.”
“Real love,” he added, “can withstand any test.”
Under the light, the sapphire bracelet gleamed with cold brilliance—luxurious and expensive.
But my heart felt like it had fallen into ice water.
I’d seen this exact bracelet on Tessa’s Instagram post yesterday: a comparison photo of a $1.50 knockoff and a $99,000 luxury piece.
She’d even captioned it. [Some people only deserve the cheap version.]
I hadn’t understood what she meant then.
I did now.
Maybe my expression gave me away because Gerard asked nervously.
“What’s wrong? Don’t you like it?”
I shook my head.
Then, he carefully clasped the bracelet around my wrist himself.
“See? It looks perfect on you. Anyway, Mom and Dad want us to come over for dinner. Go get ready. We’re heading to the old villa.”
For a brief moment, I froze.
So that was the point—the bracelet was just bait, a way to make me obedient, to make me go back to his parents’ place with him.
He must not want anyone there to find out about his affair with Tessa.
Too bad he’d forgotten—that place held nothing but painful memories for me.
Most of the time, I stayed as far away from it as possible.
第4章
Vikki’s POV
When I got back to the old villa, a strange chill crept over me. The place was just as I remembered—same familiar faces, except now there were two new ones: Tessa and Acee.
As soon as we walked in, Acee’s tiny legs carried him straight toward Gerard. He ran into his arms, and Gerard lifted him up with an affectionate smile.
“Gerard, Vikki, welcome back,” Mom greeted. “Today’s a great day—Tessa’s back, too! If someone here could finally give us a child, we’d really have double the joy.”
She meant to nag me again, her words full of dissatisfaction.
Tessa curved her lips into a smug smile. “Mom, don’t be mad. Acee, call her Grandma. Mom, just treat him like your real grandson.”
‘If only she knew he actually is her real grandson,’ I thought bitterly. ‘Would she still be this calm and kind?’
After dinner, the same old routine began again—pressuring me to have a baby.
“Vikki, you’re not getting any younger,” Mom said pointedly. “You’ve tried all sorts of remedies. Maybe it’s time for another hospital checkup.”
Before I could reply, Acee suddenly threw a tantrum when he heard that.
“No! No! I don’t want my daddy to have another baby!”
He burst into tears, clutching Gerard’s pant leg with all his might.
Everyone present had different reactions—some were watching the drama, some were angry.
“Sweetie,” Tessa bent down, wiping the tears off Acee’s face, “he’s not your daddy, remember?”
But Acee only cried harder. “No! You’re lying! He is my daddy! You even have his picture in your wallet!”
Dad’s face turned thunderous. His glare fixed on Tessa and the boy, the air thick with humiliation.
“Vikki,” he said sharply, “tell me this isn’t my son’s child.”
Gerard tugged at my sleeve under the table, his gaze threatening.
“Dad, Mom, this boy isn’t Gerard’s. He’s always with me. How could he have time for someone else?” I lied.
Mom’s eyes welled up with relief. She had always liked Tessa.
But Dad’s cold voice was unyielding. “The Blandings won’t be made a laughingstock. Get her out of this country. She’s never to return.”
Before anyone could react, the ashtray on the table flew through the air and struck Gerard’s shoulder with a heavy thud. He grunted, clearly in pain, but tried to hold it in.
“Gerard!” Tessa shouted, rushing to his side, completely forgetting about her son. “Are you okay?”
Her gentle hands came to rest on his shoulder, her voice soft and tender.
I stared at the scene in front of me, then suddenly stood up. “You know what? You’re the ones who look like a real family. I’ll leave you to it.”
I grabbed my bag and stormed toward the door.
“Gerard! What are you doing just standing there? Go after your wife! Now!” Dad urged, frustrated with his son.
But Gerard didn’t even move. His tone was cold and detached.
“She’s got that temper because you’ve spoiled her. Let her cool off. Who’s she taking her attitude out on every day?”
I walked out of my in-laws’ villa, got into the car I’d booked ahead of time, and told the driver to head straight for a private studio.
It was a place that specialized in creating hyper-realistic human replicas—so lifelike, they could easily be mistaken for the real thing.
“Ma’am, your data’s been collected,” the technician said. “Your order will be ready in seven days.”
I handed over the deposit without hesitation. Seven days from now, I’d be long gone.
Later, sitting leisurely in a café, I called my lawyer. “Attorney, how’s the information I asked you to gather?”
“Everything’s been collected according to your instructions,” he replied. “But we discovered something else—your mother’s caught up in a massive debt issue.”
“That’s impossible,” I muttered in disbelief. “She quit gambling years ago.”
“Well, it seems your husband encouraged her to start again. She now owes fifty million,” he explained.
What a husband! How could he do something so despicable?!
In my rage, I frantically dialed Gerard’s number. He was not picking up the phone until, after a few more rings, the call finally connected.
“Gerard!” I yelled over the speaker. “Are you out of your mind? My mom fought so hard to quit gambling, and you pushed her back into it? Don’t you really have any conscience?!”
第5章
Vikki’s POV
I was caught by the rocky ledge beneath the cliff, and only rescued the next morning by some fishermen who happened to pass by.
By then, I was covered in blood, and pain shot through every bone in my body.
When I woke up, I rushed home as fast as I could. I had to grab all my documents and leave.
Under the blazing sun, I walked for three straight hours until I finally reached the front gate—only to freeze in shock.
The villa was hosting a wild celebration. A huge banner hung across the courtyard with striking words printed on it.
[Congratulations to Vikki Presnell on the First Day of Her Eternal Life!]
Eternal life?!
I had been forced off a cliff, my life or death uncertain, and they were calling it eternal life?!
Fuming, I shoved the door open. Everyone turned toward me in shock.
“What’s this? Eternal life? Funny, I didn’t get the memo,” I snapped sarcastically.
The moment Gerard saw me, there was a flicker of surprise in his eyes. But it was quickly swallowed by anger.
“Jack said you were dead! Vikki, do you think it’s fun to scare people like this? Do you have any idea? Tessa was so worried last night she barely slept!”
Pain burned through my body, but I still couldn’t stop the bitter laugh curling at my lips. Then, my hand came down hard across his face.
“You’ve got some nerve. Your wife’s missing and possibly dead, and you’re off having fun with your so-called sister!”
“And you—” I turned and slapped Tessa, too. “Was the last punishment not enough for you?”
Her delicate face quickly turned bright red, a trickle of blood appearing at the corner of her mouth.
“You hit my mommy! You hit my mommy!”
Acee came charging at me, pounding my leg with his fists right where I was injured. Blood quickly seeped through my bandages as I tried to step back.
But the boy stumbled and hit the corner of the table. His forehead split open, blood streaming down as his cries pierced the room.
“Mommy! It hurts!”
A shrill voice shouted, “You wretched woman! How dare you hurt my child! Gerard, look at her!”
Veins popped along Gerard’s temple. He shoved me hard toward the door.
“Looks like Jack went easy on you when he taught you a lesson. He said you fell off a cliff—what, was this your little stunt for attention?”
I staggered, barely staying on my feet, my tone sharp as glass.
“So that’s why you threw me a party? Was this grand celebration held to honor my supposed immortality?!”
He didn’t answer. He just scooped up the boy and rushed to the hospital with Tessa, who gave me a smug little smirk before walking out.
As the guests scattered and the laughter died, I stood in the wreckage, shaking, when my phone rang.
“What? My mom’s in the ER?!”
I’d led the danger away from her. How could she still have been hurt?
I ran straight to the hospital, but the moment I arrived, two bodyguards blocked my way.
“Sorry, ma’am. The CEO ordered us not to let you in. Please understand it’s our job.”
Tears streamed down my face as I begged in desperation.
“Please, I’m begging you! Let me in! My mom’s in the ER! She’s waiting for me!”
My forehead slammed against the wall as I pleaded, but they remained cold and unmoved.
Over the phone, the doctor issued one critical notice after another.
I knew Gerard was there somewhere, so I shouted at the top of my lungs.
“Gerard! Let me see my mom one last time! I swear I’ll never bother you again! Forget your stupid tests! I’ll leave you for good!”
It was nearly dusk when he finally showed up.
“Fine,” he said flatly. “You can see Acee, but don’t you dare hurt him again. And stop using your mother as an excuse. That fake five-million-debt story? It’s pathetic.”
I didn’t even hear the rest. Just moments earlier, I’d received a call from the hospital—the death notice.
“We regret to inform you that despite all efforts, your mother failed to respond to resuscitation and has passed away. Please proceed to the morgue to confirm the identity of the deceased. Our deepest condolences.”
第6章
Vikki’s POV
I dragged my heavy steps toward the morgue.
Gerard, that dumbass, actually thought I was going to visit his son. But that kid’s room and where my mom was were two entirely opposite paths.
The morgue was cold and eerie, the kind of chill that seeped straight into your bones.
I searched for a long time but couldn’t find her.
“Nurse,” I asked, “where’s Claire Presnell?”
The nurse’s reply lingered in my ears. “She passed away not long ago. Her son-in-law already claimed the body.”
Thunder roared in my head. Her son-in-law? How could Gerard have taken my mom’s body? He’d always kept his distance from her, as if she were something filthy.
I stormed into Acee’s hospital room, fury burning through me.
“Gerard! Give me back my mom!” I demanded.
But the voice that answered wasn’t his—it was soft, feminine, and dripping with hatred.
“Stop shouting. What would he even want with your mother’s corpse?
“Your mother’s probably a handful of ashes by now. Maybe even turned into fertilizer to nourish the flowers.
“No matter how much you scream, it won’t change anything. You might as well accept it.”
I immediately panicked and shouted.
“Why would you do this? You didn’t even let me see her one last time!” Suddenly, I remembered something. “No, that’s impossible. They can’t release a body without the family’s consent. You’re lying, aren’t you?”
Tessa let out a mocking laugh.
“Don’t you get it yet? Of course, Gerard gave his consent. Do you really think I could’ve done it without his permission?”
“I did it to shut you up forever,” she continued. “I couldn’t deal with you, but your mother? She was much easier. Don’t worry. I made sure she went peacefully.”
The room fell deathly silent.
I snapped. Rage blinded me as I lunged at her. But before I could reach her, she grabbed my wrist and forced my hand around her own throat.
She struggled and shouted, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Don’t! Vikki! I have a child to take care of! Please let me go!”
That was when I saw Gerard walking in.
Tessa whispered through her tears, low enough for only me to hear.
“Anyone who knows my secrets doesn’t get to live. And I’ll be taking back what’s mine, especially him, of course.”
Suddenly, I realized—she resented me knowing that she was sent abroad all because she got pregnant from an affair.
Her family had to send her far away from home to cover up this scandal.
“You’ve gone too far, Vikki!” Gerard roared like a beast. “We’re done. I want a divorce!”
With a single order, he wanted to sever all ties with me.
He shoved me so hard I instantly fell to the floor. Desperation clawed at my throat as I looked up at him.
“Do you have any idea what she’s done? She killed my mother and burned her to ashes! I didn’t even get to see her one last time!” I cried.
“You told me she was in a nursing home! Where is she, Gerard? Bring her to me!” I demanded.
But he only saw my grief as an act, earning even worse mockery from him.
“That’s good. She’s dead. Saves me from cleaning up her messes.”
Then, he spat, “Stop showing up in front of us. I feel disgusted just looking at you.”
My heart grew cold and numb as I watched him carry away Tessa, who had been pretending to be in pain all along.
‘Mom,’ I thought bitterly, ‘this is the son-in-law you kept praising in my face.’
After that, I pulled myself together and hired a private investigator to find my mother’s remains.
“Ma’am,” he said, “she had your mother’s ashes… dumped into this flowerpot.”
I took the pot from his hands with trembling fingers, then asked an expert to separate as much of the ashes as possible.
Later, I buried my mother alone in the Maplewood Memorial Park.
Meanwhile, Gerard stayed in the hospital, tending to his so-called foster sister.
A few days later, I got a call. “Ma’am, the human replica model you ordered is ready. When would you like us to deliver it?”
I paused for a moment, thinking. Then I made up my mind.
“Three days from now, please send it to 18 Hawthorne Drive, Willow Creek Estates.”