Chapter 5
Chantelle’s POV Gasps echoed through the room as every head turned, eyes wide in disbelief. “If she’s the real wife, then Secretary Segerblom must be—” “I used to think she was just sharp at work. Turns out she’s just as skilled in bed.” The air thickened with sleazy whispers. One man openly leered, while another reached toward me from behind. “She’s got a body like that and still acts innocent? I’d pay ten grand for a night with her.” The murmurs swirled around me like a storm, each one more venomous than the last. I stood there, frozen—humiliated, powerless. Lachlan’s brows drew together. For a brief second, something flickered in his eyes—anger, maybe even pity. He looked like he was about to say something. But before he could, Kirsten slipped her arm around his and whispered, “Locke, the kids are here.” Her eyes were soft, pleading. Lachlan hesitated. Then his expression hardened, turning cold and unreadable. “Secretary Segerblom,” he said, voice cold, “please have some self-respect. Stop spreading fake photos. I’m loyal to my wife—only my wife.” And just like that, he took Kirsten’s hand and walked out, their two children trailing behind. He didn’t spare me a single glance. It felt like lightning had struck me straight through the chest. I couldn’t move. I had always known Lachlan didn’t love me—but I never imagined he’d be the one to strip away even the last shred of my dignity. Just before leaving, Kirsten cast a brief glance at one of the women across the room. Minutes later, I was dragged into the break room by a group of women. They were familiar faces—women I’d once helped, even covered for. Now they looked at me with thinly veiled guilt and disgust. “Sorry, Secretary Segerblom. Orders from the president’s wife,” the lead woman said coldly. Then her hand swung through the air and slapped me across the face. The others followed. Slap after slap, like falling rain. By the end, they weren’t just obeying orders—they were enjoying it. I could see it in their eyes. Only after what felt like the 990th slap did they finally stop. The lead woman looked at me with a strange mix of pity and contempt. “If you’re gonna blame someone, blame yourself. You ruined a family.” I couldn’t even argue. Every ounce of strength drained from my body. My knees buckled, my vision blurred, and I collapsed. When I opened my eyes again, it was night. No one had taken me to the hospital. I’d been locked in the break room, left to freeze on the cold floor. I was starving, bruised, in unbearable pain. It wasn’t until the cleaners arrived the next morning that someone finally opened the door. Under the judgmental stares of my colleagues, I stumbled out and made my way to the nearest hospital. After getting patched up, my phone buzzed. I received another message from Kirsten. [Last night must’ve felt familiar, right? Well, today, I’ve got a special surprise just for you.] A second message came in—a photo. It took me a moment to realize what I was looking at. ‘Mom’s hospital room!’ Not long after, another notification popped up—a payment alert from the hospital. ‘Lachlan… He actually cut off payments for Mom’s medical expenses?!’ Ignoring the pain in every step, I rushed to the hospital, using the last of my strength. When I burst into the room, I saw my mother slowly open her eyes. Relief flooded me—but before I could take another step, Kirsten appeared at the bedside. She looked smug and victorious. “Old hag,” she sneered, “look at the daughter you raised—so cheap she ended up as my husband’s mistress. I’ve got two kids with him already, and now she’s the one being torn to pieces. Honestly, if I were you, I’d die of shame. After all, your husband had a mistress too, didn’t he? I’m sure of all people, you understand how that feels.” I rushed forward and slapped the phone from her hand, trembling with rage. But it was too late. Mom turned to look at me, her eyes filled with nothing but heartbreak and disappointment. The next thing I knew, she was clutching her chest, gasping for air. Within seconds, she collapsed back against the pillow. “Mom!” I screamed, seeing her breathing grew faint.