The Wife He Threw Away Was a Billionaire Heiress

From the day we started dating to the day we got married, Edward Gale never bought me a gift that cost more than fifty bucks.

That man always said we were building a life together, that every penny had to be spent where it truly mattered.

Even my wedding ring was just a plain silver band hed scrounged up on a secondhand store.

One day, there was a company retreat.

One of the IT guys suggested a game of "Truth or Dare".

Out of everyone's expectation, the game quickly devolved into a cringe and boastful version of it. It was all thanks to Cassandra Locksmith.

Cassandra was the intern who had just been brought on full-time. She showed off the heavy diamond on her finger with practiced fake modesty.

"My boyfriend is absolutely terrible with money, I told him I didn't need anything, but he just had to win this rock at the auction!

Last month, he bought me a riverfront condo, and paid in cash too. And today he suddenly booked us first-class tickets to ?Iceland! Tell me, what do I need to do to stop his bad habits!"

Eventually, my gaze drifted to my own faded, overworn jacket.

I could feel a bitter lump forming in my throat. It was right after her, I got picked for the next "Truth or Dare".

Cassandra threw a devilish smile and immediately shout out, "Wendy, since Sinclair forced me to pick 'Truth' the last time. I'll choose a 'Dare' for you! No worries, it's a simple one: call your husband and make him come pick you up."

I called Edward, the phone tune rang seven times before going to voicemail.

When I was about to give up, a cold text from Edward popped up on my screen.

Edward: [Busy.]

As the company retreat finally drew to a close, I stepped out into the lobby only to spot a sleek Maybach idling near the entrance. The heavy car door swung open, revealing none other than Edward Gale.

This was the very man who always forced me to walk home in heavy rain just like this one. He claimed that we desperately needed to conserve five dollars on taxi fare.

Yet here he stood, meticulously opening a designer umbrella over Cassandra's head. He acted like a devoted gentleman before escorting her into the luxury vehicle and driving off into the night.

The relentless rain battered down, soaking my thin clothes in mere seconds. By the time I managed the grueling walk back to my apartment, a violent tremor racked my body, my thoughts were hazy with exhaustion.

Yet the piercing chill of the storm was nothing compared to the painful loop playing in my mind. The moment Edward tenderly sheltering Cassandra, carrying her away from the storm in his pristine luxury car.

In all five years of our relationship, I had never seen him look so tender, so effortlessly attentive.

My fingers moved on instinct, my thumb tracing the inexpensive silver band on my hand. I remembered the exact moment Edward had slipped it onto my finger, the shame and bitter guilt etched across his face because he lacked the money for a proper engagement ring.

"Wen, once I achieve real success, I swear I am going to buy you the grandest diamond in the world."

He had promised back then, his eyes burning with incandescent ambition.

It was all a charade. From the very beginning. The magnificent diamond he had bought without a second thought was already glistening brightly on another womans hand.

My phone chimed. It was a message from my landlord.

Mr. Yale: [Hey, I won't be renewing your lease when it expires at the end of the month. I've sold the place. Really sorry about the short notice.]

Outside, the storm raged harder, the howling wind echoing the hollow ache in my chest.

I was still staring blankly at the screen, unsure of how to reply, when a notification from our office group chat popped up. It was Cassandra.

Cassandra Locksmith: [Ugh, can anyone relate? My boyfriend just bought me a place in Rose Gardens. What am I supposed to do in this huge house?]

Rose Gardens, huh?

It was the exact complex I was currently living in.

A sickening seed of suspicion took root in my gut. I began tearing the apartment apart. I ripped through drawers and emptied cabinets until, finally, I found it tucked away beneath a pile of old documents: a property ownership certificate.

I opened it. The registered owner was Edward Gale.

Ice flooded my veins, spreading to my fingertips as my vision blurred with unshed tears.

This was the luxury apartment Cassandra had gotten with a simple pout. Meanwhile, I had been paying rent on it, to my own husband for exactly sixty-seven months!

The sheer absurdity of this man...

With shaking hands, I pulled out my phone. Through the cracked glass of the screen, I dialed a number I knew by heart. When the line connected, all my hesitation vanished.

"Grandma," I said while holding back my anger. "Does your offer still stand? I want to come back and inherit our family's business."

I've got my grandma's affectionate reply crackled through the speaker. "Finally! The offer's only meant for you, child! I'll be waiting for you in Azure."

I took a deep breath, my resolve hardening into steel.

"Then, I'll be on a flight in three days. I land in the evening."

I paused, looking around the cheap apartment I had poured my soul into.

"And I am never coming back to Blackmount."

When Edward returned, he had already changed back into his usual cheap t-shirt. Meanwhile, I sat frozen on the couch, rainwater still dripping steadily from my hair.

Edward frowned the moment he saw me. Grabbing a dry towel, he hurried over and began gently drying my hair. "Dry yourself up. You can catch a cold, you know" he scolded softly.

His voice was low, laced with what sounded like genuine heartache. When I looked up, his concerned gaze were entirely focused on me.

A bitter smile touched my lips. While clinging to one last, desperate thread of hope, I said, "Edward... the landlord told me the apartment was already sold."

His hands stilled for a fraction of a second. Then, slipping into a soothing tone, he murmured, "I know I don't have much right now. But I promise, once I make some real money, I'll buy you a big, beautiful house."

"Is there anything else you want to tell me?" I pressed, refusing to let him go.

He stared at me in apparent confusion for a long moment before finally shaking his head.

Deep disappointment washed over me. I squeezed my eyes shut, letting out a long sigh. When I opened them again, I raised my hand and swung a sharp slap. Soon, the room echoed.

"You're fucking rich, Edward," I choked out. "And you gave this very apartment to Cassandra. Why? Why would you lie to me?"

The words tasted bitter as hot tears began to stream down my face.

Edward's head was turned from the force of the blow, but he couldn't hide the fleeting flash of panic in his eyes.

He slowly rubbed his reddening cheek.

"So, you know."

Just like that, his expression smoothed into chilling indifference.

"Wendy, I just lacked security," he rationalized smoothly. "I needed to know you weren't just with me for my money."

Then, his tone shifted abruptly. "Aren't you pleasantly surprised?"

For a second, my mind blanked. "What?"

He actually chuckled. "Your husband is a wealthy man. Shouldn't you be thrilled? You'll never have to struggle again. This is a good thing for you, so why are you crying?"

He reached out to brush away my tears, but I jerked my head away.

Unfazed, Edward dropped his hand. "Alright, fine. So this apartment is gone. I'll just buy you a new one. Plus, you don't have to pay rent anymore. Don't act like a victim when you're the one coming out ahead here, Wendy."

I stared up at his arrogant, condescending face, and a hollow laugh escaped my throat.

"You gave Cassandra a house... but you charged ME rent to live in this place. And you told me, that I AM the one acting like a victim?"

Edwards face darkened. He pulled a bank card from his pocket and threw it directly at my face.

"Ah. I should have known you were just a gold digger after all," he sneered. "Take the money. This conversation is over."

I opened my mouth to reply, but his phone started ringing. He answered it right in front of me, and Cassandras whiny voice drifted through the speaker. "Edward? I think I have a fever... I feel so awful."

He immediately turned to leave, but I blocked his path. "Tell her to call a doctor herself," I said coldly. "You have money, don't you? Just transfer her some cash and move past it."

He froze. Then, with a harsh shove, he pushed me out of his way.

"Stop being so unreasonable, Wendy," he snapped. "Cassie is sick. Whatever your problem is, it can wait until she feels better."

I crashed into the furniture, a dull ache shooting up my leg. I didn't get up immediately, just sat there watching his back as he walked out the door without a second glance.

It took a long time before I finally gathered the strength to pull myself up. Limping into the study, I sat at the desk. With trembling fingers, I typed with the keyboard to end all this absurdity:

"Divorce Agreement."

Thank God, I got his credentials.

I could logged into Edward's banking account through my computer. Clicking through it, I found dozens of massive transactions. The memo attached to every single one was a sweet love note to Cassandra.

[Happy 3rd Anniversary, my Cassie. Love you always.]

[Can't forget a Children's Day present for my little Cassie.]

[Today is the anniversary of the first time we held hands. My Cassie deserves a gift for that, too.]

My heard ached every time I finished reading those notes. I remembered our own anniversary. Edward had stared at the modest cake I bought and scolded me, "The money you spent on this cake could have fed us for days."

Cassandras everyday life was something I could only dream of.

By the time Edward came back, I had already printed out the divorce agreement and left it on the table.

"Wen, why the long face?" he asked, sounding genuinely puzzled. "Look what I brought you. A slice of cake."

I looked up to see a beautifully decorated piece of cake. It looked almost exactly like the one Cassandra had just posted on her social media.

The only difference? The strawberry on the side was missing.

It was Cassandras leftovers.

A sudden, violent wave of nausea hit my stomach. I soon leaned over the trash can and began to throw up dryly.

Edwards eyes instantly lit up. "Wen... am I going to be a dad?"

I ignored him and simply pointed at the divorce agreement on the table.

Edward glanced down and picked up the document. After a long pause, he let out a scoffing laugh. "Oh come on, Wen. Since when did you learn to play hard to get?"

"You faked that puke to let me know you're pregnant with my child. Then, you use a divorce paper to manipulate me into chasing you? Since when did you got this clever?"

I forced down the sickness in my throat and denied it. "I'm not pregnant. I just think you're disgusting."

Edward treated it like a passing tantrum. He sighed heavily. "For the baby's sake, I won't argue with you."

He crouched down, patted my head, and offered me a condescending way out. "I was wrong, Wen. I shouldn't have kept things from you. But you're not losing out here. This is basically like winning the lottery."

As if suddenly remembering something, he added, "Cassandra is just a pet bird I keep on the side. It's not like I'm going to get serious with her."

"You have to understand me. In my social circle, what successful man doesn't have a woman on the side? Even emperors of the past had thousands of concubines. I only have one side chick. You should be grateful for it."

His tone was incredibly affectionate, yet the words coming out of his mouth were utterly unbelievable. Right in front of me, he tore the divorce agreement to shreds.

"Wendy, I am not divorcing you. Get some rest. I have plans with Cassandra." Edward grabbed his jacket and headed for the door. "Wen, I won't be coming home tonight. I hope you'll have figured things out by the time I'm back tomorrow."

I didn't even try to stop him.

Our relationship had completely rotted from the inside out. I refused to swallow my pride and spend the rest of my life trapped in a hollow, fake marriage.

After Edward left, I gathered up every single gift he had ever given me and took them to a pawn shop. Most of them were just cheap silver jewelry, not worth much. But since I had decided to leave, I was going to take every single penny that belonged to me.

The pawn shop owner smiled warmly when he saw me carrying bags of items. He took them from my hands and got to work.

As the minutes ticked by, his expression grew darker and darker.

"Miss, not a single one of these accessories is real."

The owner's words were mind blowing beyond my comprehension at first. I couldn't believe my ears.

What?

Even these cheap trinkets were fake?

Acting on a sudden impulse, I took off the plain silver band on my finger. "Then, could you take a look at this one too?"

The owner frowned and shook his head. "Miss, this is probably just a freebie that came with some couple's gift set. A little while ago, a young lady came in here with a whole bunch of rings exactly like this one. Not one of them was genuine."

In the end, the old man still took the ring to his work table and appraise it properly. When I saw the look of pity in his eyes as he walked back out, my heart instantly sank to the bottom of my stomach.

Even the silver ring Edward used to propose to me was a fake.

As I walked out of the pawn shop, I noticed Cassandra had been waiting for me outside.

"Wendy, I think we need to talk," she said.

I didn't refuse. I followed her to a nearby caf. Cassandra wore a look of deep guilt on her face, and it wasn't until our coffees were served that she finally spoke, her voice timid.

"Wendy, I just found out recently that my boyfriend... is actually your husband."

But before I could even muster a word of comfort for her, her tone shifted into a pathetic, tearful plea. "Wendy... could you please divorce him?"

I froze, staring at her in complete disbelief.

Ignoring my shock, Cassandra kept on talking.

She told me that what she and Edward spent in a single day was more than what he had spent on me in our entire five years together. She told me that Edward wouldn't have the heart to see her suffer even the slightest. She told me that lately, he couldn't keep his hands off her.

Finally, she stood up and looked down at me.

"Wendy, the one Edward truly loves is me." She paused, her eyes locking onto mine. "And, in truth, the one who isn't loved is the actual homewrecker, right. So please... leave us alone."

Her tone was ridiculously proper, yet every single word was coated in poison.

I grabbed my cup from the table and splashed the coffee right on her face.

"You knew exactly who you were sleeping with, and you still played the part. You have absolutely no shame, Cassandra."

The dark, sticky liquid ruined her perfect makeup, leaving her looking utterly pathetic and messy. But through the dripping mess, I saw the corners of her mouth slowly curl into a smirk.

A split second later, Edward's furious voice boomed from behind me. "Wendy! What the hell are you doing?"

He rushed past me, wrapping his arms protectively around Cassandra before turning to scream at me. "You didn't listen to a single word I said, did you? Keep acting like this, and you can kiss your position as Mrs. Gale. Goodbye!"

Nestled safely in Edward's embrace, Cassandras eyes practically sparkled with triumph. She silently mouthed the words to me You lose.

Trembling with absolute rage, I raised my hand to slap her, but Edward caught my wrist in a vice grip.

"Stop making a scene, Wen," he snapped, throwing my hand away in disgust. "Have some dignity. Everyone is watching."

His eyes held nothing but cold impatience.

Beside him, Cassandra suddenly burst into tears. "Edward... I'm pregnant."

Those few words shocked me to the core.

"Edward, my stomach hurts so much..." she sobbed, clutching her belly as she sagged against him. "Am I... am I going to lose our baby?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, her eyes rolled back, and she fainted dead away.

Panic seized Edward. He scooped her up without a second thought and rushed out the door to get her to the hospital.

In the end, I stood locked onto my place completely alone. God knows for how long, before I knew, Edward's text messages started popping up on my phone.

Edward: [Wen, the baby in Cassie's belly is still my flesh and blood.]

[When the time comes, we can put the child under our name. I'll make sure he calls you Mom.]

I typed back a reply: [You really think I'll agree to that??]

The typing indicator on his end danced for a long time. Finally, he replied.

Edward: [No matter what, that is my child.]

A sharp ache pierced my nose, pathetic tears soon spilled over.

I wandered back to our apartment like a ghost. The pain was slowly giving way to a hollow numbness. The place looked as warm and cozy as it always had, yet for some reason, it felt colder than a freezer.

Five years

Five whole years of my life. It wasn't worth it. None of it was worth it.

Fueled by a quiet anger, I went to the study and printed out a massive stack of divorce agreements. I took them and taped them to the walls, one by one, until they covered the entire apartment. Even the front door was plastered in stark white paper.

If Edward liked tearing them up so much, he could tear them to his heart's content.

Once I was done, I grabbed my suitcase, walked out without looking back, and headed straight for the airport.