Humiliation

Aria..

The next morning, I made sure I reached the dining room before eight. I wasn't going to give Lucian another reason to punish me—or worse, someone else because of me. The memory of Natalia and her little boy was still fresh in my mind. I quietly took my seat while the maids arranged the breakfast on the long dining table. The room was peaceful without Lucian, and for a few precious moments, I was able to breathe without feeling his presence.

The grandfather clock suddenly chimed.

Eight times.

Right on cue, Lucian walked into the dining room.

Not a second early.

Not a second late.

Exactly at eight.

His eyes immediately landed on me. A slow, satisfied smile appeared on his lips, as though he was pleased that I had finally learned to obey his rules. Without saying a word, he walked to the head of the table and took his seat. The maids quickly served breakfast, and silence settled between us as we began eating.

For the first few minutes, neither of us spoke.

I prayed the meal would end without another punishment.

Then the sharp sound of high heels echoed across the marble floor.

Click...

Click...

Click...

I slowly raised my head.

A stunning woman walked confidently into the dining room. She was tall, elegant, and breathtakingly beautiful. Her long black dress hugged her figure perfectly, and she carried herself with the same confidence and arrogance Lucian did.

She smiled the moment she saw him.

"Hello, sweetheart."

To my surprise, Lucian actually looked up from his breakfast and gave her a small nod.

She walked over as though she owned the place and casually sat in the chair opposite mine.

Confusion filled my mind.

She was late.

Lucian had starved me because I was late for breakfast.

Wasn't he going to punish her too?

Or did his rules only apply to me?

I remained silent, keeping my thoughts to myself.

"Yes."

Lucian's deep voice suddenly interrupted my thoughts.

I looked up in confusion.

Had I accidentally spoken out loud?

The woman laughed softly.

"So," she said, resting her elbow on the table as she looked me up and down, "how does it feel being the trophy wife?"

I frowned.

Before I could answer, she smiled even wider.

"Oh, don't misunderstand me."

She pointed at me with a playful smile.

"You're the wife."

Then she pointed at herself.

"And I'm just one of his countless girlfriends."

My heart skipped a beat.

I looked at Lucian, expecting him to deny her words.

He didn't.

Not a single expression crossed his face.

He calmly finished his breakfast, folded his napkin, and stood from his chair.

The woman stood beside him.

Without warning, Lucian reached for her, wrapping one hand around her wrist before pulling her close against his body.

He finally looked at me.

"Aria."

His voice was cold.

"This is Isabella."

He paused for a moment.

"My on-and-off girlfriend."

I felt as though the ground had disappeared beneath my feet.

How could a husband introduce his wife to another woman like that?

Before I could even process his words, Lucian cupped Isabella's face and kissed her.

Not a quick kiss.

Not an accidental one.

A long...

Slow...

Deliberate kiss.

Every second felt like another knife sinking into my heart.

When he finally pulled away, Isabella laughed happily and slipped her arm around his.

Lucian adjusted his suit jacket before speaking.

"I won't be returning to the mansion tonight."

He turned to leave with her.

Just before they reached the door, Isabella glanced back at me with a victorious smile.

"Don't worry, Aria," she said sweetly. "I'll make sure he's very happy today."

She laughed as they walked out together.

I sat there frozen, unable to move. It wasn't love that made my chest ache. I didn't love Lucian. I could never love a man who had turned my life into a living nightmare. But I had expected at least a little humanity from him. A little respect. We were legally husband and wife, even if only on paper. Instead, he chose to humiliate me in front of the servants, introducing another woman as his girlfriend before kissing her without a trace of shame. It felt as though he had stripped away the last piece of dignity I had left. My eyes burned with tears, but I forced myself not to let them fall. I would not give him the satisfaction of seeing me break—not here, not in front of everyone. Still, the humiliation settled deep inside me, leaving a wound far more painful than hunger ever had.