He Watched Me Shine Without Him novel Chapter 129

Vivian’s eyes went wide. She truly hadn’t expected Houston to be so forgiving of Rose. Desperate to pull him to her side, she doubled down, smearing Rose as hard as she could.

“Houston, don’t be fooled by that sweet face. Let me tell you—Ethan’s never brought home a dime since he started working. Not a cent has gone to our daughter. Why? Because every penny’s been spent on Rose. You think a man and a woman, meeting in secret and dining in luxury, could possibly keep it platonic?”

Rose’s gaze turned steely. Without a word, she raised her hand—

The loud crack of a slap echoed through the hallway.

Ethan and Vivian both stared at Rose in stunned silence. Vivian clutched her stinging cheek, aghast.

“You hit me?! Because I hit a nerve, didn’t I?” she shouted. “You’re embarrassed, so now you lash out? Aren’t you afraid of breaking Houston’s heart by doing this?”

Rose let her hand drop and stared Vivian down with quiet fury.

“I didn’t slap you over a man. I wouldn’t lower myself to fight you over someone like Ethan.” Her voice cut like ice. “I slapped you for slandering my name. And next time you do it, it won’t stop at just a slap.”

Vivian stood there, humiliated and fuming. She had imagined Houston would step in for her, or at least scold Rose—but he said nothing.

Ethan? He just stood there like a statue.

The betrayal burned.

Tears welled up in Vivian’s eyes. “Ethan, your wife just got slapped. And you’re not even going to defend me?”

Ethan looked down, voice flat. “You’re not a child, Vivian. Think before you speak. You took a single photo of me having lunch with Rose and started throwing accusations. How is she not supposed to be angry? It was just a meal between coworkers.”

Vivian’s jealousy boiled over. Her voice trembled. “Ethan, I gave you my body. I carried your child. And now you turn your back on me? How can you be this cold?”

Rose cut in calmly, “That’s your mess. Don’t block our way home.”

Vivian was stunned, but stepped aside reluctantly.

As Houston passed, Vivian suddenly grabbed his wrist.

“Let go,” he barked, loud enough to make Rose and Ethan turn back.

Vivian clung to his hand, eyes glistening as she bit her lip in a pitiful act. “Houston, are you really not worried that Rose and Ethan might rekindle their old flame? Or do you just not care who she’s fooling around with?”

Vivian began to wail. “Why? Why does everyone defend her? She’s bullying me—I’m a woman in postpartum recovery—and you’re all protecting her!”

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify