When the Backup Wife Disappears Chapter 03
Evelyn’s POV
While I was busy preparing to leave, Alexander suddenly insisted I come to Maya’s yacht party.
His excuse sounded reasonable enough: “If you don’t come with me, you’ll just get jealous and make a scene later.”
I didn’t refuse. I needed a chance to talk to him about the divorce anyway.
On the yacht, lights blazed and music blasted.
The moment we boarded, we spotted Maya in the
center of the crowd, dressed to the nines, soaking up attention. Alexander immediately ditched me and rushed to her side.
A few people nearby shot me curious glances, whispering among themselves.
I didn’t care.
I headed straight for the observation deck at the yacht’s stern, leaning against the railing, letting the ocean breeze hit my face.
“Evelyn? Never thought I’d run into you here!”
A warm male voice came from behind.
I turned–Robert Harrison. Alexander’s most crucial
early investor, the man who’d supposedly saved the company from bankruptcy. Or at least, that’s what Alexander had always believed.
He walked over with whiskey in hand, smiling as he clinked his glass against mine. “How long’s it been?
Two years?”
“About that.” I gave him a small smile. “Robert, you‘ re looking good.”
“Hardly.” He waved it off. “You’re the one who’s lost weight. Need to take care of yourself.”
He brought up Alexander’s company and how well it was doing lately.
“Saw last quarter’s numbers–damn impressive.”
Robert said. “You know, if it hadn’t been for that
investment back then, Alexander’s company would’ve.
..” He trailed off. “Wouldn’t have made it.”
I smiled faintly. “Yeah, you had a good eye.”
Robert gave me a pointed look.
“Wasn’t my eye.”
Silence hung in the air for a moment.
Robert lowered his voice. “Evelyn, after all this time-
he still doesn’t know, does he?”
I stayed quiet, staring out at the dark water.
“No point telling him now.”
When the company was hemorrhaging cash,
Alexander got rejected by every investor out there. So I emptied my savings and funneled the money through Robert’s name. Alexander always thought Robert had seen potential in his project, made a smart bet on him.
He had no idea the person backing him was his own wife.
It’s not like I never considered telling him. But I didn‘
t want him to feel like he owed me.
Robert nodded, respect in his voice. “Marrying you
was the best damn thing that ever happened to him. You two–honestly, people are jealous.”
I glanced at him, lips quirking slightly.
“Probably won’t be jealous much longer.”
Robert’s expression shifted. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I’m divorcing him.”
Robert almost dropped his glass. “You’re WHAT?
Divorce? Jesus, why-”
“Who’s getting divorced?”
A cold male voice cut through.
Robert and I spun around–Alexander stood there, face like thunder.
I didn’t miss a beat. “Just gossip about a friend. Her marriage is falling apart.”
Robert jumped in. “Yeah, yeah, you know, that lawyer friend of hers. Real shame.”
Alexander’s eyes narrowed, bouncing between us, clearly suspicious but unable to catch us in a lie.
That’s when Maya swept over with two champagne flutes.
“Evelyn, here, cheers.” She lifted her glass, all sweetness. “Really gotta thank you for being such a good sport about Alexander buying me this yacht.”
“Most wives would throw a fit. But you’re just so chill about everything, aren’t you? Right, Alexander?”
Alexander laughed uncomfortably, staying quiet.
Maya pressed on. “Oh! Alexander’s taking me out sailing next week. It’s always been a dream of mine. You’re cool with that, right?”
I raised my glass casually. “Have fun.”
Maya looked taken aback.
Alexander caught the shift in my tone. His brow furrowed. “Evelyn, are you—”
“Since everyone’s here,” Maya interrupted, clapping her hands, “let’s play a game!”
Soon everyone circled up on the deck. Maya’s friend Lomi whipped out an empty bottle, buzzing with excitement. “Spin the bottle! Whoever it lands on draws a dare card. Can’t do it? Face the penalty!”
The crowd got hyped, cheering.
First spin–the bottle stopped on Alexander.
He pulled a card and read it out loud: “Play the Pocky game with whoever’s on your right. Last at least ten seconds.”
Everyone erupted, checking Alexander’s right side- Maya.
The vibe shifted immediately.
Maya gasped dramatically, hand over her mouth. “Oh god, how did that happen…” She made a show of looking at me. “This is kinda awkward… Evelyn’s right there…”
Lomi jumped in. “Who cares? It’s just a game!”
others joined the chorus of encouragement.
All eyes turned to me, waiting.
I leaned back into the couch, tone flat. “It’s just a game. Do whatever.”
Alexander hesitated. “Maybe we should skip this one-
Lomi cut him off. “What, you WHIPPED, Alexander?”
His face darkened. “Hell NO.”
Whipped.
That word hit me like a trigger, unlocking a memory I‘ d tried to bury.
One year ago. Our anniversary.
We’d been in a cold war for three days over Maya. I decided to be the bigger person and went to his usual bar to find him.
Right before I opened the door to his private room, I heard laughter inside.
“Yo, Alexander, isn’t today your anniversary? Why you drinking alone?”
Alexander’s voice came out irritated. “Don’t even
start. She’s been icing me out for three days because of Maya.”
“Man, women. Always jealous.”
“She’s just PETTY as hell.” Alexander said, annoyed. Maya’s my friend. She’s got no right to control that.”
Another friend spoke up. mean, sure, but Evelyn’s been good to you, man. Everything she’s done for you over the years? The company, the clients–she’s had your back through all of it. You’ve got a solid wife. Don’t take that for granted.”
Someone else agreed. “For real. And Evelyn’s smart AND hot. You really should keep your distance from Maya before Evelyn gets fed up and bounces…”
Alexander went quiet.
Then another voice chimed in, cocky. “Come on, you‘
re not gonna scare him like that. Evelyn’s too in love with him to leave. Besides, Alexander’s not the type to be whipped. Right, man?”
“Afraid of HER? You’re joking, right?” Alexander scoffed.
Laughter erupted.
“She was just a backup from the start. If she wasn’t so obedient, so damn USEFUL, think I would’ve married her?”
His voice came through crystal clear. Every word pierced straight through me.
I stood frozen outside that door.
Then I turned and stumbled away.
That night, I sat in my car in the parking lot and cried until the sun came up.