Everyone laughed as Ethan groaned in pain, struggling to his feet just outside the glamorous venue. His hand clutched something tightly—something he didn't want to lose. No one noticed the small box he quickly shoved into his jacket. Only the sting of humiliation lingered.
"I suggest you leave before you get seriously hurt, Mr. Ethan," one of the bouncers scoffed, brushing a speck of dust off his immaculate suit.
"He deserves to witness his wife's birthday. It would be a shame if he didn't."
A smooth, commanding voice echoed behind them. Ethan turned. His stomach churned.
David Sinclair stood like royalty, flanked by two stunning women. His smile was predatory, his eyes locked on Ethan.
"But Lord David, he's not among the invited—"
"I said let the pauper in," David said firmly.
Whispers spread like wildfire among the guests outside as Ethan brushed himself off and walked past the bouncers. With a smirk, he spat at their shoes. The disdain on his face was unmistakable.
Inside, the grand ballroom shimmered with gold. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead. The elite of society stood laughing, sipping champagne—until they noticed him. Silence rippled across the crowd. Ethan's suit was cheap, crumpled, and painfully out of place.
"Look at that man," one woman whispered, eyes narrowed. "He calls himself Evelyn's husband? He looks pathetic."
Music swelled, and the event began. But Evelyn, the woman at the center of it all, had yet to appear. Ethan sat quietly, holding his gift close. He sipped wine slowly, his eyes scanning the room, ignoring the daggers of judgment thrown his way.
"Tonight marks a new chapter in the life of someone we all adore," the announcer began. "A woman whose beauty captivates all—Mrs. Evelyn Quine!"
A chorus of cheers erupted.
Then, she entered.
Evelyn walked in like a goddess, flowers tossed beneath her feet. She radiated perfection—her dress clung to her like a dream, and her raven hair fell in waves. Ethan's breath caught. For one beautiful second, the pain disappeared.
"I'm overwhelmed," Evelyn said sweetly. "Thank you all for coming. Your love means the world to me."
Ethan smiled. Despite everything, he loved her.
"If all's well," a voice rang out from the crowd, "I'd like a dance with the lady of the night."
Ethan's heart dropped. David.
He moved with swagger, taking Evelyn's hand, placing another on her waist. The lights dimmed as they swayed together like lovers rehearsing a script.
"You bastard," Ethan muttered, seething.
Couples began to dance. Ethan remained frozen at his table. Rage simmered. David moved with Evelyn like he owned her. Ethan rose, fists clenched.
But two guards blocked his path.
"You need to sit, sir," one warned, low and dangerous.
"Tell your master to take his hands off my wife, or I swear—"
"Sir, back away."
Ethan shouted, his voice cracking like thunder. "LET GO OF MY WOMAN!"
The music halted.
Gasps echoed as heads turned. David paused mid-dance, amused. Evelyn looked stunned.
From across the room, Mrs. Judith's face hardened like stone. She stood abruptly.
"Who let this buffalo into the ballroom? GUARDS!"
"I have every right to be here!" Ethan boomed. "This is my wife's birthday! If David Sinclair had any dignity, he'd stay away from another man's wife!"
Four more guards approached from behind, chains in hand. The crowd whispered, some scandalized, others entertained.
Then David raised a hand, calm and calculated. "No. Let him speak. He is, after all, the husband. Let's show our guest some... respect."
Evelyn looked down, silent. Her expression was unreadable—part shame, part sorrow.
"Well then," David continued, stepping back, "let's proceed with the gifts. The moment we've all been waiting for."
Ethan's fingers tightened around the gift in his coat. His heart thudded like a war drum.
"Mrs. Evelyn," David announced, "a Bentley Bentayga awaits you outside. The keys are yours."
Screams of joy burst from Evelyn as she hugged him tightly.
"And a check for $700,000," another guest added. "To help you dominate the modeling industry—just like your father once dominated the courtroom."
Evelyn grew teary. The gifts kept coming—luxury handbags, gold, paintings, designer shoes. Everyone played their part.
Except Ethan.
"Well?" David turned. "And what about Mr. Ethan? Surely you brought something more than bad manners?"
Ethan stood slowly. His eyes scanned the crowd—hostile, mocking, indifferent.
"I did," he said. "I brought a gift. From my heart."
The spotlight turned.
He walked toward Evelyn. She met his gaze cautiously. He held her hands.
"What do you have for me?" she asked, smiling thinly.
"We've struggled, Evelyn," he began softly. "But I never stopped loving you. Tonight, I want to start again."
He kissed her. Some guests scoffed, others smiled uncomfortably.
"Where's the gift, Ethan?" Judith's voice sliced the moment in two.
He pulled a small box from his pocket. He opened it, revealing a golden bracelet.
"For my queen," he said, slipping it onto Evelyn's wrist.
She hugged him gently. It wasn't the most expensive gift—but it was real. It was meaningful.
Or so he thought.
From behind, David leaned toward Judith.
"I thought you said he was broke. How'd he pull that off?"
"He must have stolen it," she spat and stormed toward them.
"And where did you get this bracelet, you worthless excuse of a man?" she demanded.
"I bought it," Ethan said calmly. "With my own money. You may have underestimated what love makes a man do."
But the peace shattered—
"The bracelet is fake!"
The voice rang out, chilling and absolute.
Gasps filled the room. Heads turned.
From the entrance, a sharply dressed man stepped forward—Mr. Antonio, owner of the city's most exclusive jewelry store.
"I recognize that bracelet," he said loudly. "Last week, this man came to my store requesting a replica of our best-selling design. He asked for something that 'looked real'—but was affordable."
Silence filled the hall in an instance.
"I honored his request," Antonio continued. "But now I see... he brought it here, passed it off as genuine, and gave it to his wife in front of us all."
Judith staggered back in mock horror. "So he lied... to everyone."
Ethan's face drained of color. He opened his mouth, but no words came.
Evelyn looked at her wrist. Then at Ethan. Her expression slowly changed—from shock to betrayal, then to something colder.
"You gave me a fake bracelet?" she whispered. "You tried to trick me... in front of everyone?"
"No I would never come so low to do such, this man is a liar!" Ethan screamed.
"Spare us the sob story," David said, stepping closer. "You tried to play king. But you're still the pauper."
The crowd murmured, some laughing now.
Judith's voice cut through again. "Take him out of here. Now."
As the guards moved in, Ethan looked at Evelyn one last time. She didn't speak. She didn't move.
"You don't believe I would do such a thing, do you?" Ethan asked as his heart raced.
The guards grabbed Ethan and in anger, he punched one, forcing a tooth out of the innocent guard.
"I demand that this man prove that this bracelet is fake!" he screamed, as everyone gasped in shock at what he had done.