Chapter 118 #118
Chapter 118
~Shailyn's POV~
Dante.
Not Dwayne.
My stomach dropped.
"Shailyn," Dante breathed, eyes wide. "You look... absolutely incredible."
I forced a smile. "Thank you."
"No, I mean it. This dress, God, you're stunning." He walked around me slowly, taking it all in. "Everyone's going to be staring at you tonight."
"That's the idea."
He grinned. "Time to show the world the wife of Dante Belmar."
Wife of Dante Belmar.
Not Shailyn. Not her own person.
Just his wife.
I swallowed the bitterness and nodded. "Let's go."
\---
Downstairs, the entire family was gathered in the foyer.
Tyler sat in his wheelchair in a sharp navy suit. Gramps sat, dressed impeccably as always in a black suit. Cynthia wore an emerald gown that probably cost more than most people's cars. Monica was in black, looking bored already.
And Dwayne.
My eyes found him immediately.
He stood near the window, adjusting his cufflinks, dressed in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit that made him look absolutely—
Our eyes met.
Everything stopped.
His hands froze mid-motion. His lips parted slightly.
And the way he looked at me.
Like I was the only person in the room. In the world.
Like he couldn't breathe.
"Well, well," Tyler said, breaking the moment. "Shailyn, you look beautiful."
"Thank you, Tyler."
Gramps wheeled forward slightly. "Stunning, my dear. Absolutely stunning."
"You're too kind, Gramps." I said lying through my teeth.
Cynthia said nothing. Just gave me a tight smile and looked away.
Monica scrolled on her phone, barely glancing up.
But Dwayne.
Dwayne was still staring.
Dwayne blinked, finally looking away. "You look nice, Shailyn."
Nice.
That was it?
Just... nice?
My heart twisted painfully.
"Thanks," I said quietly.
He shoved his hands in his pockets and turned back toward the window.
Casual. Distant. Like it didn't matter.
Like I didn't matter.
I felt something crack inside my chest.
But I straightened my shoulders and lifted my chin.
I wasn't going to let it get to me.
Not tonight.
"Alright," Tyler announced. "Cars are ready. Let's not be late."
\---
Dante held my hand as we walked to the car.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Fine."
"You seem tense."
"Just nervous about tonight."
"Don't be. Everything's going to be perfect." He kissed my temple. "You're perfect."
I slid into the backseat and pulled out my phone.
One new message.
From Dwayne.
I opened it quickly.
You look absolutely breathtaking. That dress, I can't even put it into words. You're going to be the most beautiful woman in that room tonight. Hell, in any room. Always.
My breath caught.
I read it again. Then again.
The tightness in my chest loosened slightly.
He did notice. He was just being careful in front of everyone.
I typed back quickly: Thank you. That means everything.
His response came immediately: I meant every word.
I smiled at the screen, warmth spreading through me.
"What's that smile about?" Dante asked, sliding in beside me.
I locked my phone quickly. "Nothing. Just Hannah confirming everything's set."
"Good. I can't wait to see what you two put together."
"You'll see soon enough."
The drive felt endless.
\---
The venue was spectacular.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. Crystal chandeliers. Tables draped in white and gold. A massive screen at the front for presentations.
Everything I'd planned. Everything Hannah and I had worked on.
But underneath the beauty was the plan.
The footage. The exposure. The destruction.
"Shailyn Belmar!" A woman's voice called out.
I turned to see Mrs Victoria Ronald, one of the investors' wives, approaching with a champagne flute.
"Victoria, hi."
"You look absolutely gorgeous. This venue, stunning. You've outdone yourself."
"Thank you so much."
"And Dante, congratulations on the quarterly numbers. Impressive work."
Dante smiled. "Thank you, Victoria. We're very pleased."
More people swarmed us. Compliments. Small talk. Business discussions.
I played my part perfectly.
Smiling. Gracious. The ideal wife.
All while my clutch held the flash drive that would ruin him.
"Shailyn!"
I turned to see Mr. Russo approaching with his wife.
"Russo, Hi.”
"Of course. Dante, good to see you."
They shook hands, immediately diving into business talk.
I excused myself politely and headed toward the bar.
I needed water. Space. Something.
"Champagne?" the bartender asked.
"Just water, please."
"Of course."
"Thank you."
I took the glass and turned—
Nearly colliding with Dwayne.
"Sorry," he said quickly. "Didn't see you."
"It's fine."
We stood there awkwardly for a moment.
"You really do look incredible," he said quietly.
"You said that already. In your text."
"I know. But it bears repeating."
I smiled despite myself. "You don't look so bad yourself."
"This old thing?" He gestured at his suit. "Just something I threw on."
"Liar."
He grinned. "Okay, maybe I put some effort in."
"Maybe?"
"Alright, fine. A lot of effort. Happy?"
"Very."
His smile faded slightly, his eyes searching mine. "You ready for tonight?"
"More than ready."
"Good." He glanced around, making sure no one was listening.
Dwayne's hand brushed mine briefly. "If you need anything tonight—"
"I know. Thank you."
"Shailyn!" Dante's voice called from across the room. "Come here. I want you to meet someone."
I sighed. "Duty calls."
"Go. I'll be around."
I walked back to Dante's side, slipping seamlessly back into character.
More introductions. More small talk.
The room filled steadily with guests. Socialites. Investors. Board members. All dressed to the nines, all here to celebrate the company's success.
To celebrate Dante.
Little did they know what was coming.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the event coordinator's voice came over the speakers. "If you could please take your seats, we'll be starting shortly."
People began moving toward their tables.
Dante took my hand. "Here we go."
"Here we go," I echoed.
We sat at the head table with Tyler, Gramps, Cynthia, Monica, and Dwayne.
The lights dimmed slightly.
Music played softly in the background.
Gramps would speak first. Then Dante. Then the footage.
My heart pounded.
This was it.
Everything we'd worked for.
The coordinator stepped onto the stage. "Good evening, everyone. Thank you so much for joining us tonight to celebrate—"
A commotion at the back of the room interrupted her.
Everyone turned.
A woman was pushing through the crowd, heading straight for the stage.
Young. Blonde. Dressed in a tight red dress.
She grabbed the microphone before anyone could stop her.
"Hi, everyone," she said breathlessly, her voice echoing through the speakers.
The room went dead silent.
She looked directly at our table. Directly at Dante.
And smiled.
"I just wanted to make an announcement," she continued.
Dante's face had gone white.
"Dante Belmar is my boyfriend."
The room erupted.