From Stand-in to Heiress: The Lies of My Billionaire Husband Exposed by Me novel Chapter 4

It was from his group of friends.

"Carter, I heard you’re bringing a plus-one to the family banquet. Is it Lamia, or is it that woman you’ve been hiding?"

My hand froze. So he had mentioned me to others.

Then, another person chimed in.

“It’s definitely Lamia! That other woman is just a stand-in. Carter said he’s just having fun. A country girl like her could never fit into our world."

"Exactly, bringing a village girl to the Mr. Alexander Blaine’s birthday banquet? That would ruin Carter’s reputation!"

I stared at the insults—each calling me a "village girl"—then glanced at the man sleeping beside me.

If he hadn’t talked about me like this to his friends, they wouldn’t dare mock me so openly.

With trembling hands, I typed:

"Tomorrow you’ll see who I bring. Stay tuned."

After sending it, I deleted the chat and put the phone back exactly as I found it.

The next morning, Carter got up early.

Even though I had just had a miscarriage and bled heavily, breakfast was still two pieces of bread and a glass of plain water.

He grabbed his phone and kissed my forehead.

"Honey, I’m off to work. Meeting a client with the manager today, so I’ll be late. Don’t wait up."

I nodded coldly.

Carter touched my face, then reluctantly left.

I stood by the window and watched him got into a Maybach around the corner and drove away.

Turning, I tossed the bread in the trash and made a call.

"There's a good show tonight. Are you interested?"

After hanging up, I glanced at the cramped, suffocating room, grabbed my suitcase, and left without hesitation.

I headed straight for the best postpartum care center in New York.

In the past, when we were dating, Carter was too frugal to even rent a decent hotel room, always taking me to the cheapest hostels where I had to worry about being watched while showering.

Now, standing by floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city, I felt the weight of everything I’d sacrificed pressing down on me.

That evening, the Blaine family’s birthday banquet was a high-society event, with all the elite in attendance.

Standing at the mansion’s entrance, I looked at the grand hall, my mind flashing back to our tiny room.

The security guard stopped me at the entrance.

"Today is the Blaine family's patriarch's birthday banquet, not just anyone can enter."

I calmly pulled out my marriage certificate.

"Am I qualified to enter now?"

"Please, Mr. Blaine, answer my question."

The guests began to murmur.

"I’ve heard the rumors too, that Carter has been hiding a mistress outside. I thought it was just gossip."

"With Carter’s status, having a mistress isn’t surprising. But marriage? That’s a different story."

"Looks like someone is trying to stir things up. Maybe it’s payback for past entanglements."

Carter’s face darkened further, his expression terrifying.

"I’ve never been married. The only person I’ve ever cared for is Lamia. If anyone keeps spreading rumors, they’ll regret it."

Despite not expecting much, my heart sank even further.

Lamia, teary-eyed, took Carter’s hand and kissed his cheek.

Carter pulled her close, but before he could kiss her, Alexander’s assistant called him away.

As Carter left, the crowd swarmed Lamia.

Just then, my phone rang.

A text: I’m here.

I smiled and stood to leave, but someone blocked my path.

Lamia, accompanied by a group of her friends, stood in my way.