“You’d only embarrass me,” he said in “You’d only embarrass me,” he said in front of the housekeeper. I didn’t cry.

I simply pulled out a card I had hidden away for three years and called my billionaire father, never imagining that by the end of the night, his empire would be shaken.

“You’ll only embarrass me wearing that dress.” I heard my husband say those words from the second floor while I stood frozen in front of the mirror, my hands icy cold.

Spencer Conway had just stepped out of his black SUV at our mansion in Shaker Heights, looking flawless in his gray suit, as though he were on his way to accept an award instead of breaking my heart for the last time. Mrs.

Gladys, our longtime housekeeper, carefully asked if I would be coming downstairs. He didn’t even bother looking toward my window. “There’s no need. I’m going with Paisley tonight.” I gripped the curtain until my nails dug into my palms.

I was wearing the only evening gown I still owned, a navy-blue dress I had bought before I married Spencer. The sleeves were beginning to show wear. In three years, I had never asked him for money, never used my family name, never boasted about who my father was.

I believed humility would make him love me. I believed that if I made myself smaller, he would finally see me. A moment later, I heard heels clicking across the marble floor.

Paisley Daley appeared on my husband's arm, wearing a champagne-colored gown and a diamond necklace that sparkled like a cruel joke. She leaned against him with a sweet, practiced smile. “Do I look beautiful, Spencer?” He looked at her in a way he had never looked at me.

I walked downstairs slowly. The moment Spencer saw me, he frowned as though I were a stain on his expensive floor. Paisley looked me up and down, letting her eyes linger on the worn sleeves of my dress. “Oh, so you're the wife,” she laughed, covering her mouth.

“Now I understand why he never takes you anywhere.” Spencer didn't correct her. His silence hurt more than a s:lap. “The Apex Group annual gala is far too important,” Paisley continued. “There will be CEOs, politicians, international investors... real people. You should stay home, Phoebe.

Looking like that, you'd only ruin Spencer's evening.” I looked at my husband, waiting for a single word. Instead, he offered his arm to her. “Let's go. We're running late.” I watched them leave together. The sound of the engine faded into the night.

Gladys approached me, her eyes full of sympathy.