Chased by my Ex Husband novel Chapter 3

Grace

Gathering my courage, I turn on my heels. Everyone’s eyes seem to be glued to the screen in the distance. I follow their line of sight and the world indeed stops and my knees weaken.

On the screen, the slideshow of several pictures plays. It’s me and a man I can recognize. We are sitting in a dimly lit room, too close.

I gasp and stumble back a few steps.

A week ago, Lily called me out to talk. When I went to the VIP room of the club where she called me, a man was already waiting. He groped me forcefully and I barely escaped from him. I thought it was a drunken accident but now, it turns out Lily had planned that long ago.

“ She not only stole her sister’s man but she is also a cheater! ”

“ A filthy cheater! ”

“ Grace Whitlock turns out to have peculiar tastes. She doesn’t want a man. She wants men. ”

Laughter and accusations filter in. The ground shakes beneath my feet. It’s like everything I ever stand for in life has been cruelly snatched from me.

Another slap lands on my face. I gasp, shifting my attention to Mom who is seething in front of me.

Before I can recover, she grabs my hair and slaps me again.

“ How dare you! How dare you shame our family like this?! What kind of a bitch did I raise in my house? ” Her screams force people to look our way.

Her hands slam into my shoulders, my cheeks, and my head as she hits me over a mistake I never made.

It feels like the world has ended. Why do I deserve this?

“ I did—I did nothing. ” I cry out, raising my arms in front of my face to defend myself.

Dad grabs Mom’s shoulders and pulls her back. I lower my trembling arms, trying to reach out and explain myself.

“ Dad, I— ”

“ I refuse to admit a shameless woman like you is my daughter! ” Dad roars in a voice that steals my breath.

I stumble a few steps back, “ Dad. ”

“ Get out of my house! Get out and don’t show your face again. I disown you today! ” He yells, his face turning red with anger.

Suddenly, his eyes roll back into his head. Mom and Lily scream, running to his side.

“ Dad! ” I shriek, trying to get to him too but Mom pushes me away, causing me to fall on my butt.

Pain shoots up my tailbone. I wince, still trying to reach out desperately.

He is my Dad. I love him. Even if he hates me, I still love him.

“ Will you leave after killing him? Is that what you want? ” Mom screeches.

Her eyes show a mixture of hate and disgust, both emotions I can’t come to terms with.

“ N—No. Don’t—don’t die. ” I stutter, rising to my wobbly legs.

Amongst the crowd, I search for the man who means the most to me. Anger simmers beneath his eyes as he looks at me. Tears pool in my eyes.

I shake my head, muttering. “ I didn’t. No, I didn’t. ”

But who am I kidding?

Ethan is not looking for an explanation. He believes the pictures which were clicked with a twisted angle.

Instead of protecting me at a time like this, despite knowing that I loved him and devoted myself to him...he stands there, with the surety that I betrayed his trust.