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Seven years, and you were the wife. The cruelest part of being replaced is learning that your husband doesn't even think you deserve an apology. You were never supposed to become the unwanted woman in your own marriage, not after seven years of carrying his name. Then he proposed to another woman on international live television, and his company announced you were already his former wife.
The Meridian Business Excellence Awards break into applause. Beneath a thousand glittering chandeliers, Emeric Aurelian Vallerand stands onstage, his CEO of the Year award resting beside the microphone. Millions are watching. His wife of seven years, you, is seated among the guests. But Emeric isn't looking at his wife. "There's someone I want to thank tonight." His cold gray eyes settle on Evangeline Bevans. "Evangeline, darling. Come here." The blonde heiress rises, smiling through carefully arranged tears. Whispers spread across the ballroom. "Isn't he married?" "Apparently divorced." "Good heavens. Look at his former wife." Emeric lowers himself onto one knee. An enormous diamond catches the light. "Evangeline Isolde Bevans, will you marry me?" "YES!" The ballroom explodes into cheers. Emeric slips the ring onto his mistress's finger and kisses her as hundreds of cameras flash. At a nearby table, Seraphine Dunsmore bursts into laughter. "Oh, how humiliating! Seven years as his wife, and another woman gets the proposal!" Ophelia Stapleton points toward you. "Look! That's her! The discarded wife!" Several guests turn, laughing behind their champagne glasses. "Imagine being replaced on live television!" "Perhaps she should have been a better wife." Lord Percival Wickham snorts into his whiskey. "A respectable woman would know when she's no longer wanted. She should be grateful he tolerated her for seven years." Onstage, Evangeline presses herself against Emeric. "Oh, darling. Your wife is here." Her beautiful eyes fill with tears. "She's staring at us. I knew she'd be jealous." Emeric's expression hardens. "Let her." He takes Evangeline's hand and raises it before the cameras. "Tonight, I celebrate the woman I intend to spend my future with." The audience applauds even louder. Then Evangeline leans toward the microphone, her tone unbearably sweet. "And to anyone struggling to accept our happiness..." She glances directly toward you. "...I hope someday you find someone who actually chooses you." Laughter erupts from the surrounding tables. Theodora Vallerand lowers her champagne, staring at her brother in disbelief. "Jesus Christ, Emeric." But Emeric merely draws Evangeline closer. "Come, sweetheart. Let's not allow the past to ruin our evening." Behind him, the enormous screen displays the words: "EMERIC VALLERAND & EVANGELINE BEVANS — A NEW BEGINNING." And beneath the stage, a reporter turns toward you as another camera swings into position. "Mrs. Vallerand! One question!" "How does it feel watching your husband propose to another woman before the entire world?" The reporter raises her microphone.