Chapter (22)
Ch. His Infidelity 22 His Infidelity 22
22
Reed’s POV
RH Limited had already plunged deep into crisis after everything that had happened over the past few weeks.
Yet I still hadn’t taken any action to fix it.
Before leaving the villa that day, I spent time grooming myself carefully in front of the mirror. I made sure every detail was in place-my hair, my cuffs, the watch on my wrist. Only when I was certain the recent turmoil hadn’t made me look too much of a mess or unsightly did I step out
the door.
I was going to pick up a bouquet of roses-Willow’s favorite, ones I had specially ordered in
advance.
I’d even gone so far as to customize a new engagement ring, hoping that today, I could place it back on her finger and start again.
But when I arrived at the Ericsson Ventures building, a security guard stopped me right at the
entrance.
I frowned slightly. “I’m Willow’s husband. Why are you stopping me?”
He gave me a disdainful glance, eyes dropping to the roses in my hand before he spat on the ground, dismissively.
“Our CEO’s secretary gave strict orders-Ma’am Willow always travels alone these days. And as for men like you? I’ve seen more than enough. Always trying to cut corners.”
He snorted and crossed his arms. “Using your looks to climb up? Forget it. Our CEO would never fall for someone like that.”
His sneer deepened, and he grew more animated. “People like you? I turn away eighty a day!”
I was stunned. My eyes narrowed. “Are that many people pursuing Willow?”
Of course, I’d always known she was popular.
But ever since we got married, I hadn’t once seen anyone approach her with romantic intent. No one dared.
So how did all these people suddenly appear?
The guard let out a short laugh. “Of course! Not just now. Even back when she was still married, men were chasing after her every single day.”
He went on without holding back. “Business tycoons, college boys, you name it. Handsome and promising, one after the other. But your wife? She never even looked at them. Kept herself clean. Stayed loyal. Focused on her own life.”
He shook his head. “Too bad the guy she stayed loyal to didn’t know how to cherish her. Now that she’s single and still as beautiful as ever, obviously there’s a whole line of men hoping to win her over.”
There was pride practically glowing on his face, but I couldn’t move.
Willow… she had resisted all those temptations.
She turned down everything and everyone, just to stay faithful to our marriage.
And what did I do?
I… betrayed her.
The realization slammed into me, sharp and brutal. Bitterness surged in my chest, so thick it nearly choked me.
My voice came out hoarse. “I’m her husband. I’m Reed Hetherington. Please, just let her know I’m here. Willow will come out to see me.”
The guard looked at me like I was insane.
I figured he didn’t believe who I was, and I was just about to explain-maybe pull out proof of
some sort-
But he spoke first.
‘The CEO is outside the States now.”
He said it flatly, like he was telling me the cafeteria was closed.
‘Ericsson Ventures is expanding internationally,” he added. “She’s been gone a while and won’ be back for at least ten years. It was even on the news. Didn’t you see it?”
His scornful gaze cut through me. “You say you’re her husband, but you don’t even know that?”
‘What… what did you say?” My voice shook. “She’s out of the States? F-For ten years?!”
The words hit me like lightning. I staggered back a step, barely able to stay upright.
‘No. That’s impossible. She never said anything to me about going abroad. You’re lying! She wouldn’t leave like that, not without telling me!”
The guard curled his lip. “Who do you think you are? You expect our CEO to report her travel plans to you?”
‘Even if you were her husband,” he said, scoffing, “you’re divorced now. What makes you think you have the right to stand here talking like this? If you’re done, leave. Otherwise, I’m calling the cops.”
In that instant, the image of Willow’s back flashed through my mind-the way she walked away from me that day, her spine straight, her steps firm, her silence final.
She’d already made up her mind… long before this moment.
The second I chose to betray her, she chose to leave without ever looking back.
The bouquet in my hand slipped lower and lower until my arm hung limp at my side.
I stood there in stunned silence, my mind blank, completely unable to process the cruel,
irreversible truth.