The Transactional Marriage That Imploded novel Chapter 35

"I want to make a clean break," Bianca said smoothly. "His money feels dirty to spend now. I took ten million from him and spent three whole years paying it back in blood, sweat, and tears. I've had enough."

Xanthe sighed, exasperated. "If you don't spend it, his mistress is going to spend it for him."

"Let her." Bianca was completely over it. All she wanted was to survive these two years in peace and finalize the divorce.

"Bianca," Xanthe said, wishing her friend would fight back harder. "I just wish you put the same kind of fire into your marriage that you put into your career."

Bianca offered a bitter smile. "I gave it absolutely everything I had for the last three years, and all it got me was a broken heart and a bruised ego. There's no point anymore. He doesn't love me, so nothing I do matters. He loves Cynthia. Anything she does is endearing to him."

That evening, Bianca treated the birthday party like any standard corporate networking event, dressing in a sharp, light-blue business suit.

When she arrived, however, the venue was a sea of glamorous evening gowns and tuxedos, making Bianca look like she was just clocking in for a shift at the office.

Cillian, wearing a stylish smart-casual blazer, looked effortlessly handsome.

Seeing Bianca's slight hesitation, he quickly reassured her. "Don't worry about it. These people always overdo it. It's literally a kid's birthday party."

Bianca brushed it off, handing over her gift and greeting Conrad York and his wife.

Conrad's wife, Juliana, looked at Bianca with a complicated, judgmental expression, scanning her up and down before scoffing, "You really don't know the rules, do you? Wearing a stiff suit to a gala like ours?"

Bianca maintained her composure, her tone polite but firm. "Mrs. York, I dress for comfort. This is formal business attire, so it is perfectly appropriate."

Juliana rolled her eyes and opened her mouth to snap back, but a sudden commotion at the entrance drew everyone's attention.

The Yorks immediately hurried over to greet the new arrivals. Bianca glanced over and saw Mathis walking in, flanked by Cynthia and Lamont.

Payton, however, glared at Bianca in disgust. He was convinced she was always trying to throw herself at Mathis, and felt relieved that Mathis hadn't noticed her yet.

Juliana stepped forward, showering Cynthia and Lamont with exaggerated praise. "Mr. Jagger and Ms. Quinn truly are a match made in heaven. You look stunning together, and your son is just too handsome! Ms. Quinn, when are you two making it official?"

Cynthia smiled coyly, playing the shy bride-to-be. "I'll leave all that up to Mathis to arrange."

Mathis smoothly sidestepped the question. "Tonight is about celebrating Ms. York's birthday. We wouldn't want to steal the spotlight."

Bianca rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, "Phony. Not stealing the spotlight? Then why did you two dress like you're walking the red carpet?"

Cillian completely agreed. He was thoroughly disgusted by Mathis's behavior. Parading his mistress and illegitimate child around this publicly—where did that leave Bianca, his actual wife?