The substitute husband who has been insulted

Episode 15

Can friends like that really exist? "Ugh, stay far away. Let's not fall into traps and end up losing our men, yuck!" sniped one of the guests as she glided out, casting a disgusted glance at Sonia.

"Nothing but a thorn in our side! Embarrassing!" cursed another guest as they left.

"Crazy woman! Heartless!"

Insults, bullying, and curses continued to pour out at Sonia. Her tears spilled down, soaking her cheeks. Her makeup smeared. Sonia clenched her fists tightly. 'I swear I'll get back at all of you! Especially that cursed bar waitress! Because of her, my well-laid plans have crumbled to pieces!' thought Sonia, her gaze fiery bright.

The guests left one by one. They didn't offer congratulations to the bride and groom, instead they gave scornful looks and threw insults her way.

Velyn's two friends, who had also been friends with Sonia, now approached her. They had been crying all along, because behind everything that happened to Velyn was a scenario created by Sonia. They even had distanced themselves from Velyn, thinking that she had been unfaithful and even spent nights with another man.

"In my life, I don't believe in ex-friends. But from this point on, I'm going to avoid a hypocrite like you!" Wirda said, her gaze sorrowful.

"I can't believe you'd do this, Son!" Nikita sobbed, frantically wiping the tears from her eyes.

The two of them left, leaving Sonia wrapped in anger, shame, and hatred. Now, she was truly shattered and alone.

At the side of the stage, Gerald's parents pressed their hands to their chests. The old couple sat drained, lamenting their son's fate. They had once felt shame for a failed wedding, and now they were utterly embarrassed to have such a deceitful daughter-in-law like Sonia.

"Goodness, my dear. This one's even worse than the last failed one! At least the last one was slandered by your new daughter-in-law. Oh, what ill-fate has befallen Gerald," a middle-aged woman mocked, fanning herself.

"Silence and let's go home!" Gerald's father hushed, not wishing to add to his wife's sadness.

"Yes, I am going home. Next time, vet your son's bride more carefully. Don't just agree so readily, especially since he moved on so quickly. Was he so eager, or was it really about getting back at his ex? Sadly, it turned out the opposite," the woman replied, shaking her head.

"Enough noise! Let's leave, dear!" the man urged his wife, not wanting her to sink deeper into despair.

...===000===...

Throughout the drive, Richard remained stoic, his focus only on the road ahead. His face was expressionless and exceedingly cold, a look Velyn had never seen since they had been together.

Velyn twiddled the hem of her gown, her chest still tight. She looked down, occasionally stealing glances at her husband's side. She felt rebuked, regretful for not listening to him from the start.

"Cad," Velyn called softly.

There was no response from Richard, who remained frozen. The car's AC was on but felt not as cold as Richard's demeanor.

"Richard, I'm sorry," she said, bowing her head even more, feeling foolish for wasting a man like him.

He had always been kind to her, despite never receiving such treatment in return. She had often belittled and underestimated him, thinking ill of him without cause. Now, faced with the truth, Velyn fell deeper into a well of remorse.

Richard remained silent, as if the presence of his wife didn't matter to him. This only added to Velyn's confusion. Unsure of how to earn his forgiveness, she chose to keep quiet, observing the view outside the window as she wrestled with her thoughts.

"Get out!" Richard said after they arrived at the Narendra residence.

Velyn turned to look at her husband, who hadn't turned off the car's engine. "Where are you going?" she dared to ask.

"I have something to attend to! Get out," he ordered again.

Seeing his wife hadn't moved, Richard exhaled roughly. He got out of the car, opened the passenger door, and pulled his wife's wrist, urging her to get out. Reluctantly, Velyn stepped out.

Once she closed the door, Richard sprinted back to the driver's seat. The car sped off, and Velyn watched until he disappeared from her sight.

Worry filled Velyn, as Deborah's warnings about a mistress flashed through her mind. She bit her lower lip with trepidation, especially given Richard's unusually stark demeanor. Her head throbbed from crying all day. Velyn tried to dispel her ominous thoughts and entered the house.

...===000===...

Richard visited a foundation that provided certified household assistance. Due to his busy schedule managing the company, he hired three professional household assistants. That same day, Richard brought the three middle-aged women to the Narendra residence.

"Ma! Meet the three aides who will be in charge of the house. I apologize, but I have a lot of work, and I won't be able to handle household chores," the man said, approaching his mother-in-law.

Sabrina stood up quickly, her eyes narrowing at the sight of three uniformed individuals smiling and bowing slightly in greeting.

"What is this, Richard? Do you realize how high the wages are for assistants from that foundation?! Why did you decide on your own, huh? Who owns this house?" Sabrina shouted angrily.

Richard, accustomed to such outbursts, was not surprised. It was the new assistants who were startled.

"Don't worry, I am paying their wages," he said calmly as usual.

"Do you think you can afford it? Where did you get the money, huh? You're still living off your wife's house! Now you're acting big, paying for certified aides!" Sabrina mocked disdainfully.

"Don't worry, I am a responsible man. I'm not one to rely on empty promises; I will prove it. I have paid them for the next month. Let them do their jobs as required. Ah yes, the reason I'm living here is really because of Velyn. Someday, I'll take her away and we'll live in my palace," Richard stated, a smile gracing his lips.

The man turned and addressed the aides, "Come, I'll show you to your rooms!" he said, leading them to the back rooms.

"Just watch, Cad. If you can't pay and the foundation sues you! A palace! A palace! It's probably just a tiny, shabby hut!" Sabrina yelled, still in disbelief.

Richard didn't respond anymore, tired of entertaining his mother-in-law. He feared she might suffer from high blood pressure.

"Richard! Pick up Deborah on Kembang Street! Her car broke down all of a sudden!" Rendra came down, looking at his phone, crossing paths with his son-in-law.

"Umm," Richard uttered, heading out of the house. He clicked his tongue, still encumbered by his work. "I forgot to look for a driver!" he muttered as he drove away.

Upon arriving at the location, Richard only found Deborah's car parked on the side of the road. He got out to check the vehicle. "This is definitely Deborah's car. So where is its thunderous owner?" he said, scanning the area, finding no one.