The Wife He Asked to Disappear (Marriage in Crisis, Grovel & Redemption #16)

MERRITT

I spent nine years believing my husband was the one Bellamy who would never be ashamed of me.

Whitaker knew where I came from. He knew my father had been to prison, that I grew up with very little, and that I had never belonged naturally among his wealthy, powerful family. He loved me anyway, or at least I thought he did.

Then a scandal threatened Whitaker’s billion-dollar company, and suddenly my past became a liability.

His advisers said keeping me out of sight would protect the company, and one canceled invitation became another.

My interviews disappeared. My charity work vanished from the company website.

Photographs of us were quietly removed. Every time I questioned it, Whitaker assured me it was temporary.

Then came the most important gala of his career. I dressed to stand beside my husband the way I had for nine years, and he asked me to stay home instead.

Hours later, I saw the official photograph online. THE BELLAMY FAMILY STANDS UNITED. His parents were there. His brother was there. Even the man whose actions had caused the entire scandal stood proudly beside my husband. Everyone belonged in the Bellamy family picture except me.

So I packed my things, left my wedding ring on Whitaker’s pillow, and gave him exactly what he’d asked for. I disappeared.

The problem was, my husband finally understood he couldn’t live in the world he’d built without me in it. And this time, saying he was sorry wouldn’t be enough.