My Husband Chose His Ex I Became His Regret novel Chapter 58

Chapter 58

Chapter 58

Lila

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The worst part about going viral isn’t the attention, it’s realizing you can’t take any of it back.

I’m in my room watching my interview replay on every news channel, every social media platform, every corner of the internet. It’s been six hours since it aired. Six hours of the entire world weighing in on my life.

The comments section on YouTube has 47,000 responses and counting.

I know I shouldn’t read them. Patricia specifically told me not to read them. Aidan made me promise I wouldn’t read them.

I’m reading them anyway.

SarahM_2024: Finally someone calling out Mark Knight for what he is. I worked at Knight Group for two years and saw how he treated people. Especially women. This doesn’t surprise me at all.

TechIndustryInsider: I was at a conference where Mark Knight publicly berated a female colleague for asking a question. Made her cry. Everyone pretended not to notice. Lila Stark is brave for speaking up.

AnonymousKG: I’m a former Knight Group employee. Mark had affairs with at least three women while married to Lila. Everyone knew. He didn’t even try to hide it. The way he’s playing victim now is disgusting.

keep scrolling. Most comments are supportive. Empowering. People sharing their own stories of emotional abuse. People calling Mark out. People saying they believe me.

But then-

JusticeForMark: She’s clearly lying. Women always play the victim when they get caught cheating. Mark Knight is successful and she’s a nobody trying to get famous off his name.

TruthSeeker99: So convenient that she “remembers” all this abuse right when she’s caught sleeping with her boss. Classic manipulation.

Mark’s Friend: I’ve known Mark for years. He’s a good guy. She’s making this up for attention and money. Typical gold digger behavior.

My stomach turns. I close the app. Open Twitter. #LilaStarkSpeaks Out is still trending. Number one now.

I click. Scroll.

@WomenInTech: Lila Stark’s interview is required viewing. This is what corporate abuse looks like. This is why women stay silent. Proud of her for speaking up. #LilaStark Speaks Out

@BusinessNewsDaily: Breaking: Three former Knight Group employees have come forward corroborating Lila Stark’s allegations about Mark Knight’s behavior. Full story at 11.

@TechWatchdog: Knight Group stock down 12% since the Lila Stark interview aired. Investors are paying

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Chapter 58

attention.

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But also-

@MarkKnight Fan: Mark Knight is being crucified by a lying ex-wife. Where’s the proof? Where’s the evidence? This is defamation. #IStandWithMark

@AnonymousSource: Lila Stark slept her way to the top and now she’s covering her tracks. Don’t fall for the sob story. #FakeTears

@MensRightsWarrior: Another example of a woman destroying a man’s reputation with zero evidence. This is why we need due process. #Believe Men

I’m shaking. Can’t stop shaking.

There’s a knock at my door. I ignore it.

Another knock. Harder.

“Lila, it’s Margot. Let me in.”

I open the door. Margot takes one look at me and sighs.

“You’re reading the comments.”

“I couldn’t help it.”

“Give me your phone.” She holds out her hand.

“Margot.”

“Phone. Now.”

I hand it over. She turns it off. Pockets it.

“The interview was six hours ago. You need to step back. Breathe. Let the professionals handle the response.”

“But people are saying…”

“People always say things. Ignore them.” She walks to the minibar. Pours me water. “Drink. When was the last time you ate?”

“I don’t remember.”

“Of course you don’t.” She picks up the room service menu. “I’m ordering you dinner. You’re going to eat. Then you’re going to sleep. Tomorrow we deal with whatever comes next.”

“Three people came forward,” I say. “Former Knight Group employees. Corroborating my story. I saw it on Twitter.”

“I know. Patricia sent me the articles. It’s good, Lila. It means people believe you.”

10:17 Wed, May 13 N

Chapter 58

“But there are also people who…”

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“Who will never believe you no matter what evidence exists. That’s not your problem. Your problem is taking care of yourself.” She orders food, soup, salad, bread, comfort food. “Aidan called me. He’s worried.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine. You just went on national television and shared your trauma. That’s not fine. That’s brave, yes. But not fine.”

She’s right. I’m not fine. I’m exhausted and wired simultaneously. Can’t sleep. Can’t eat. Can’t stop refreshing

Twitter.

“What did Aidan say?”

“That if you need him, call. That if you need space, he’ll respect that. That whatever you need, it’s yours.” Margot sits beside me. “He cares about you. A lot.”

“I know.”

“Do you? Because you walked out on him three days ago.”

“I came back.”

“You did. But Lila, he’s terrified you’ll leave again. Terrified that every time things get hard, you’ll run. So if you care about him, if you want this to work, you need to stay. Even when it’s scary.”

“I’m trying.”

“Try harder.” But she says it gently. “Now eat. Rest. Tomorrow is going to be intense.”

Tomorrow arrives too quickly.

I wake up to 73 missed calls and 164 text messages. Most from reporters. Some from people I haven’t spoken to in years. A few from former colleagues at Knight Group-some supportive, some accusatory.

One from my father: We need to talk. Now.

I delete it.

Another appears immediately: Lila, answer your phone. What you did is unforgivable. You’ve embarrassed this entire family.

I block the number.

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