?Chapter 33:


    Belinda’s remark subtly transformed Kristopher into what seemed like amodity avable for rent.


    The mood at the main table quickly became tense.


    Kristopher narrowed his eyes, ring intensely at Belinda as if his gaze could ignite. “Rent? So you see me merely as an item to be lent out at convenience?”


    Cathy snickered silently, her face a mask of confusion. “Belinda, what exactly are you implying? Kristopher is no mere object…”


    Belinda’s smirk was faint but unmistakable. “If that’s the case, then what exactly is the nature of your rtionship?”


    She lifted her ss, delicately sipping the orange juice Anthony had thoughtfully provided. Then, turning towards Kristopher with increased volume, she demanded, “Mr. Cox, would you care to rify?”


    The discussion at the main table had already captured considerable attention, but Belinda’s loud and clear pronouncement nowmanded the focus of everyone remaining in the room.


    Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Belinda maintained an impassive expression, her voice cold and detached. “You know well your Grandpa is unwell. Today marks his birthday, and I’ve been enduring all this to avoid upsetting him.”


    She stood before Kristopher, her eyes cold as she looked down at him seated in his chair. “Kristopher, do you really think I can keep putting up with your humiliations just because I’m usually calm? We’ve been married for three years. You don’t even know I’m sick. You’ve ignored my pregnancy. When I miscarried and ended up in the hospital, you were off fetching Miss Miller from the airport. After I lost our baby, while I was trying to recover, you ignored mepletely and took Miss Miller to a high-society event in the next city. And at your Grandpa’s birthday, you had the nerve to bring her and unt her in your arms right in front of everyone. Do you actually see me as your wife?”


    Belinda had practiced these words over and over with Madisyn before today.


    She had thought she could deliver them without any emotion. Yet, standing before Kristopher, revealing these deep wounds, her heart throbbed painfully.


    Her heartache triggered waves of nausea.


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    Despite having taken a hefty dose of painkillers before arriving, a sharp pain surged through her body, forcing her hands to clench into fists. Yet, no one saw this.


    A murmur swept through the room. Everyone stared at Belinda in astonishment, struggling to reconcile what they were seeing and hearing.


    The Belinda everyone knew was the epitome ofposure and restraint.


    Upholding her role as Mrs. Cox and the reputation of the Cox family, Belinda maintained a gentle and dignified demeanor whenever she felt slighted.


    Never had she engaged in public arguments or uttered such words! Anger clouded Kristopher’s mind, yet as he gazed into her firm, unapologetic eyes, his heart strangely wavered.


    Typically cold and distant, Kristopher’s mere nce could chill the bone. But confronted with Belinda’s usations, he found himself speechless.


    “Belinda, you’ve got it all wrong about me and Kristopher…”


    With Kristopher mute, Cathy, biting her lip, positioned her slender frame between the two, gently attempting to rify. “Kristopher was unaware of your miscarriage when he picked me up… The incident at the Rozand party was all a misunderstanding… I bumped into him unexpectedly…”


    “And what about just now?” Belinda, not in the mood to argue, cut Cathy off coldly. “When Kristopher abandoned Anthony and me to leap from the stage and embrace you, was that also a misunderstanding or just coincidence?”


    Cathy bit her lip, wiping away tears, and remained silent.


    “What’s going on, Belinda?”


    Kristopher rose, drawing Cathy close and shielding her. “She’s unwell and in pain. Am I not allowed to show concern?”


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