Twenty-Six receipts of betrayal Novel novel Chapter 60

Chapter 5

My phone lit up with a message from Sean.

“Emergency at work. I won’t be home for a few days. Be good.”

I stared at “be good” and let out a cold laugh.

The next morning, I scheduled an abortion.

When I stumbled out of the cold operating room, I had to brace myself against the wall to keep from collapsing in the hallway.

My stomach felt hollow. So did my heart.

Right then, Aunt Annie called.

“Lanie, it’s all set. I’ll pick you up at the airport in a month.”

After that night, Sean never came home.

He’d text every few days, reminding me to eat on time, to get enough sleep.

But I saw him plenty–on TV.

He and Charlotte attending business conferences together, side by side, all smiles.

He and Charlotte at charity galas, the picture–perfect power couple.

Three days before I was set to leave, a paparazzi photo exploded across every news outlet in the city.

In it, Sean and Charlotte were holding hands with a five–year–old girl, walking out of an elite private preschool.

That same evening, Sean and Charlotte held a joint press conference.

Under the glare of cameras, Sean took Charlotte’s hand in front of the world for the first time.

He looked straight into the lens and admitted it.

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Twenty–Six Receipts of Betrayal: My Silence Was the Countdown to His Eternal Regret

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Chapter 5

“Yes, we have a son together.”

Within minutes, both families‘ stock prices skyrocketed.

And there I was–the whole town’s clown, everyone’s favorite joke.

I turned off my phone and pulled out my suitcase.

I was halfway through packing when Sean walked in.

The moment he saw the luggage, panic flashed across his face.

He rushed over and grabbed my hands to stop me.

“Lanie, where are you going?”

I hadn’t expected him to come back. My heart lurched.

I quickly shoved my passport deeper into the pile of clothes.

Then I steadied my voice.

“Sean, you and Charlotte have a son. What am I even doing here?”

His grip tightened, his voice trembling.

“Lanie, let me explain. The Vanderbilts needed an heir. It was one of Charlotte’s conditions for the divorce. I know

you’re hurt–you can yell at me, hit me, whatever you need–but please… Please don’t leave. I can’t lose you.”

The desperation in his eyes looked real.

I gently patted his hand, soothing him.

“Relax. I’m just going away for a few days. The whole town is talking about you and Charlotte’s kid. I don’t want to stay here to be gossiped about.”

Relief washed over his face.

He lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it softly, voice tender.

“Okay. I’ll take you to the airport tomorrow.”

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Twenty–Six Receipts of Betrayal: My Silence Was the Countdown to His Eternal Regret

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Chapter 5

At dawn, Sean drove me to the airport. Just before I boarded, he slipped a diamond ring onto my finger.

I smiled at him, then walked toward the plane.

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