05.
Seth dad and arrived at the venue. Thad managed to eventually convince them to the party The gender reveal arty was in full swing laughter and chatter filling the air Balloons and pastel decorations adorned the room
adjusted the hem of my dress as I wondered if I was taking things too far. But then I reminded myself. I wasn’t the one who started this was just ensuring the scales were balanced. I had to have my revenge of course?
As we walked in Ash’s pace landed on me almost instantly. His eyes widened briefly and he broke away from the small group he was speaking to walking toward me
“You look incredible” he said with a smile plastered on his face
I didn’t even spare him a glance, brushing past him as though he didn’t exist. The brief flicker of hurt in his eyes
didn’t faze me Not anymore
Seth and dad exchanged glances, their expressions dark. They had both agreed to come, but I could sense their reluctance Sath especially it had taken everything in me to convince him not to lose his temper before the truth
unraveled
“Let’s find a spot” I said quietly, leading them to a comer where we could watch the spectacle unfold
Kate was in the center of the room basking in the attention as she laughed with a group of women. Her hand rested on her flat stomach in a way that made my stomach churn. The audacity!
Seth muttered something under his breath, his fists clenching, but I placed a calming hand on his arm. “Not yet”
1 whispered
The room fell silent as Ash’s parents took center stage, holding a small box that likely contained the reveal. Ash stood beside them his gaze flickering between the crowd and Kate. He looked restless when he locked eyes with me
as if sensing something was amiss
Iscoffed
Now was the Perfect time I walked up to Ash’s parents just beside the stage and after exchanging pleasantries,
I asked to make a speech
esitated at first, firing me a suspicious look but his parents, who had always adored me, insisted, leaving
him no choice
Kate, standing by the sidelines shot daggers at me with her eyes, her jaw clenched tight she was pissed off
tire time seeing me here but had to swallow her anger, clearly aware of the crowd of guests surrounding us
instead she wore a wild smile on her face
I beamed a smile and began. “Good evening, everyone. Thank you for allowing me the honor of speaking today. First, I’d like to congratulate Ash and Kate on this occasion.”
I paused, my gaze flickering to Kate’s stomach. “Becoming a parent is no small feat, and I applaud Ash for stepping into such a role. It’s truly remarkable… especially considering the child isn’t his.”
The polite clapping in the room stopped abruptly, leaving an uncomfortable silence. I let it linger, savoring the
unease.
Ash stiffened, his face frozen in disbelief, and Kate’s carefully composed expression cracked for a fraction of a second before she recovered. But I wasn’t done.
“I stood by this man for three years,” I continued, my voice calm but cutting. “I loved him, supported him, and trusted him. And yet, I watched him break every promise he ever made to me. I hoped he’d learn the meaning of love and loyalty. Instead, karma decided to teach him its own lesson.”
Ash’s voice cut through the murmurs. “Astrid, that’s enough. Come down right now.”
But his parents held him back, their faces pale but resolute. His father’s hand rested firmly on his shoulder, silently telling him to stay quiet and let me speak.
I turned to them and bowed slightly. To Ash’s parents, I owe you an apology. You welcomed me into your family with open arms, and for that, I’ll always be grateful. But your son….” I met Ash’s gaze, my voice growing colder.
“Your son married me not out of love but because you wanted him to settle down. I was never more than a pawn in his game to earn your approval.” As I spoke I looked at the shocked gaze of everyone
Kate’s face turned red with rage, but before she could interrupt, I pressed on. “Let’s not forget the day I was kidnapped. Because of him, I was taken and tortured. And when they demanded that he choose who to save, his wife or his mistress, he didn’t even hesitate. He chose her.” My voice trembled, but I pushed through. “I survived by sheer will, but our unborn child didn’t. That’s on you, Ash!” I pointed at him.
The room was immediately filled with gasps and murmurs. Ash’s face turned ashen, and Kate’s eyes darted around nervously.
“And my mother?” I continued, letting the weight of my words settle. “She’s still lying in a hospital bed because you, Ash, wanted her to buy flowers for Kate, knowing full well she was allergic to pollen. Do you even remember
that?
Ash opened his mouth to respond, but I cut him off. “No, don’t bother. There’s more.”
I reached into my bag and pulled out the photograph, holding it high. “And here’s karma’s grand finale. Your precious wife, Kate, has been having an affair” I tossed the photograph onto a nearby table, where guests
Before anyone could recover, I pressed play on the recording of Kate’s conversation with the doctor. Her voice filled the room, confirming her lies and deceit
“And that’s not all,” I said, my voice laced with mockery. “The baby you’re all here to celebrate? It doesn’t exist Kate fabricated everything to keep Ash’s parents happy. Isn’t that right, Kate?”
The room exploded into chaos. Guests whispered, gasped, and stared at Kate in disbelief. Ash turned to her, his face a mixture of shock and fury. “Is this true?” he demanded, his voice low and trembling.
Kate stammered, her confident façade crumbling under the weight of the evidence. “Ash, I… it’s not what it looks like…”
I
But he wasn’t listening. The crowd’s judgmental stares bore into them both, and I took that as my cue to leave.
I stepped off the stage, walking past Ash who had a pale face. Even his parents looked at him in disappointment.
As I reached the door, I beamed a small, satisfied smile. “Let them deal with the wreckage.”
This was my perfect revenge.