Rebirth Into My Second Chance novel Chapter 10

The next day, Claude had a finance news interview scheduled, and bright and early, Kate brought over a makeup artist. "Claude, today's finance news segment is crucial for you. Having a makeup artist can pep up your appearance."

I saw Claude's face darken with displeasure, but he agreed.

Makeup or not, Claude was naturally handsome, and putting on his glasses added a touch of scholarly cunning to his allure.

I hadn't anticipated the interview would once again thrust me into the limelight. As I sat beside Claude, watching the host interview Claude about his impeccable performance in business, a pursuit of perfection that seemed almost too intense.

"Mr. Hart, I've heard you have a spouse?"

I felt Claude stiffen at the question. I was curious about what he would reveal to the public about me.

"Yes," Claude admitted.

Instinctively, I glanced down at Kate, searching her face for any emotion and wondering if she was not bothered by her beloved man acknowledging someone else as his spouse on national television.

The host asked, "We've heard some tension between you and your spouse."

Just as Claude was about to respond, surveillance footage of me threatening to jump off the roof and threatening him splashed across the screen. Those videos were from our home. I wondered how the media got hold of them.

I looked at Kate, who seemed panicked, trying to stop the footage from playing. But it was a live national broadcast. There was no stopping it. Everyone saw the dramatic scenes of me threatening to end it all. Looking back at those images just made me realize how foolish I had been.

"Oh my, the renowned Mr. Hart, to be married to someone like this."

Kate hurried after him. "Claude, I just found out that Lydia from the family had sold the surveillance footage to the TV station. She did it for a hefty sum, raising the station's ratings in the process."

Lydia? The only person in the house who had been kind to me. She fed me and comforted me during my lowest moments. How could she betray me for money? Yet, when Kate showed Claude the bank transfer records revealing Lydia's substantial payout, I realized people would do anything for their benefit.

Lydia got kicked out when we got home. She left crying, claiming innocence.

Meanwhile, the internet was aflame with cyberbullying against me. Comments said I didn’t deserve such a wonderful spouse. I should be grateful, treating Claude like royalty instead of causing drama. They accused me of taking someone else's place, of moral blackmail to get into Claude's bed. They wished death upon me. They said I'd be better off dead.

I found a barrage of vile words on Claude's tablet. After skimming through the comments, Claude smashed the tablet in anger.

A whole day passed, and the people Claude had sent out had no news of me.