Public Humiliation, Private Revenge

In the dead of night, my husbands assistant sent him a sultry selfie, masking it as a work update.

Mr. Wheeler, I cant sleep. Are you up? I hope the old lady next to you isnt snoring too loud.

I took Marcuss phone, screenshotted the photo and the chat, and blasted it to the entire companys group server.

The next morning, my husband woke up to the 999+ notifications lighting up his phone. He simply gave my ponytail a gentle tug.

Juliet, shes just a kid. She doesnt know any better. You, on the other hand, are a grown woman. You shouldnt let your temper get the best of you.

He deleted his assistants contact information right in front of me, as if that erased the whole affair.

Then came our wedding anniversary. He booked the entire top-floor restaurant and invited every employee from his company.

He presented me with a breathtaking bouquet, its fragrance filling the air. Happy anniversary, my love.

I just need to step out and meet someone, he said, his smile never wavering. Ill be right back. I have one more big surprise for you. Just wait here.

The moment he was gone, a stranger in a sharp business suit walked directly to my table and pulled a document from his briefcase.

Mrs. Wheeler, youve been served. This is a court order.

A court order?

I took the document. The text was stark against the white paper. Lily, his assistant, was suing me for defamation and demanding a public apology in front of the entire company.

Just then, Lily herself appeared, her arms crossed smugly.

Juliet, she sneered, you tried to ruin my reputation in that group chat, made me the office laughingstock. Tonight, youre going to apologize for it. Publicly.

The burly men standing behind her took a menacing step forward, their eyes locking onto me like predators.

The room erupted.

So it was the bosss wife who sent that picture! I thought hed just fat-fingered it.

This is better than a movie. The wife versus the mistress, and it looks like the mistress is winning.

I knew Lily wouldnt just let it go. She was just waiting for the right moment.

Look at Mrs. Wheeler. Shes frozen in fear. Shes probably going to have to get on her knees and beg.

I slowly lowered the document, my gaze calmly sweeping over Lilys triumphant face.

And then, Marcus returned.

He snatched the court order from my hands.

Lily, what is the meaning of this? he demanded, his voice feigning surprise.

Lilys expression instantly crumpled into one of heartbreaking vulnerability. She threw herself into Marcuss arms.

Marcus, I didnt want to do this, but your wife left me no choice! Shes destroyed my name at the company! How am I supposed to face anyone?

Dressed in an innocent white dress, tears streamed down her face.

Juliet, Im so sorry, but we had no other option.

I know you dont like me, she sobbed, but you cant just ruin my reputationand Marcussout of jealousy.

She took a small step back, and Marcus wrapped a protective arm around her, gently patting her back. But the look in his eyes wasn't one of concern; it was pure, unadulterated adoration.

He turned to me, his voice dripping with condescension. Juliet, look at this mess youve made.

Lily is young. She made a silly joke. Did you have to take it so seriously? Now youve dragged the companys name through the mud.

Just apologize to Lily and we can put this all behind us.

Every eye in the room was on me, waiting for my humiliation, waiting for me to grovel.

With the entire party watching, I started to laugh.

Sue me?

I rose from my chair, my eyes fixed on Marcus.

On what grounds, Marcus? Tell me.

He said nothing, just stared at me with cold detachment, as if I were a lunatic having a tantrum.

But Lily, ever the actress, snatched a dinner fork from the table and pressed the tines against her own throat, her voice breaking with manufactured hysteria.

Juliet, I have severe depression! I just wanted you to admit you were wrong Youve been stalking me, sending threatening texts, spreading vicious rumors about me and Marcus I cant take it anymore! If you dont apologize to me right now, Ill

She made a show of pressing the fork harder into her skin.

Lily, stop!

Marcus lunged forward, wrestling the fork from her hand. He spun around and roared at me.

Have you lost your mind, Juliet?

I told you she was just a kid! Why do you have to make everything into a war? You just had to escalate things, didn't you? Are you happy now?

Im giving you one last chance. Do what Lily asked.

Or were going straight from here to a lawyers office, and I will make damn sure you walk away with nothing. Lets see how a pampered housewife of five years survives on the street!

Every word was a perfectly aimed dagger, designed to hit where it hurt most.

He was so certain of his power over me, so sure that I was too dependent on him, that I would swallow any humiliation to preserve the illusion of our perfect marriage.

But he had no idea.

He had no idea that the only reason hed gone from a broke startup founder to the CEO of a publicly-traded company in three short years was because of my familys resources.

The whispers in the crowd grew louder.

Its over. Mr. Wheeler is really choosing the new girl.

What a fool. If you cant win, you should just endure it. Now shes going to be thrown out with nothing.

Look, I think shes about to cry.

I slowly lifted my head, looking at the two utterly clueless people before me, their faces glowing with the smug satisfaction of having won.

Marcuss eyes were still burning with his threat.

What are you waiting for? Cat got your tongue? Say it!

I looked at him, and finally, I spoke.

Alright.

The smile on my face deepened. I stood up, my gaze sweeping across every single person in the room before I spoke again, my voice clear and steady.

I apologize.

Satisfaction bloomed on both Lilys and Marcuss faces.

I paused for effect, then continued, enunciating every single word.

Im sorry that I discovered your affair, which has been going on for three years.

Im sorry that I found out you, Marcus, have been using the money I brought into this marriage to buy your little mistress here apartments, cars, and luxury goods.

But most of all, I am so, so sorry for speaking up and interrupting your precious, true love.

Juliet, what the hell are you talking about!

Marcus strode toward me, his hand raised. A sharp crack echoed through the suddenly silent hall as his palm connected with my cheek.

My ears rang, and the metallic tang of blood filled my mouth.

For a split second, I was no longer in the restaurant. I was a girl again, stepping into the fighting pits for the first time.

A Pierce must always know how to handle themselves, my fathers voice echoed in my memory. Id been trained by the best since I was a child, mastering blades, firearms, every form of combat.

I didnt flinch. I wanted to remember the sting of this slap.

Are you insane? Marcus screamed, his finger jabbing at my face. Spouting this nonsense in front of everyone! You may have no shame, but I do!

I touched my burning cheek, my eyes fixed on the man I had loved for so long.

I had grown tired of the violence and shadows of my familys world, which is why Id hidden my identity to build a normal, quiet life with him. When he wanted to start his own business three years ago, I pulled every string I had to support him from behind the scenes.

The physical pain was nothing. But the ache in my chest was a suffocating tide.

Seeing her chance, Lily rushed to Marcuss side, clinging to his arm.

Marcus, please dont be angry. Dont fight with Juliet because of me.

She pleaded softly, fresh tears rolling down her cheeks. Then, she turned to the audience.

Everyone, I know this is hard to believe, but the person who has been cheating is Juliet!

As if on cue, the massive screen behind the main table flickered to life.

A slideshow of photos began to play.

There I was, having dinner with another man. Then at an art gallery. There was even one, shot from a sly angle outside a hotel, where I was intimately helping him adjust his tie

The lighting was dim, the framing deceptive, each picture carefully crafted to scream infidelity.

Heres all the proof you need! Lilys voice trembled with fake indignation. She was the one who betrayed our marriage, and then she tried to blame me and Marcus!

And its not just cheating! Shes been abusing him! Look!

The screen switched to photos of Marcus with injuries. Red marks on his wrist. Scratches on his neck.

Lily cried, Marcus kept quiet to protect the family, to save her from embarrassment! He endured it all in silence! But she only got worse! I couldnt stand by and watch it happen any longer!

In an instant, the crowds sympathy for me curdled into contempt and disgust.

I cant believe it. She looks so poised and gentle, but shes actually that kind of person.

Poor Mr. Wheeler. Shes a viper, cheating on him and then trying to frame him.

She has that expensive look, but her actions are just trashy.

Wait that man in the photos. He looks familiar I just cant place him.

The room buzzed with judgment. I stood alone, an island in a sea of scorn, painted as the most vile, shameless woman alive.

Lily sidled up to me, her voice a venomous whisper only I could hear.

The bouquet smelled lovely, didnt it, Juliet?

I did give you a chance.

Just as a surge of fury rose within me, a wave of dizziness washed over me. My legs gave out, and I collapsed into my chair.

You vicious woman! A simple apology wont be enough!

Before I could even process what was happening, a gaudily dressed middle-aged woman burst from the crowd, shoving guests aside as she stormed toward me.

She pointed a finger in my face, spittle flying from her lips.

You shameless harlot! You cant keep your own husband satisfied, so you slander my daughter!

It was Lilys mother, Brenda.

Mom, dont! Lily cried, pulling at her arm while shooting me a tearful look. Juliet didnt mean it

You be quiet! Its because youre too kind that this witch takes advantage of you! Brenda shoved her daughter away, her eyes raking over me with pure malice.

Suddenly, her gaze fell upon the long, white-clothed table in front of me. It was laden with fine china, crystal glasses, and a magnificent five-tiered cake inscribed with Juliet & Marcus, Happy 5th Anniversary.

With a guttural scream, Brenda seized a corner of the tablecloth and yanked with all her might.

CRASH!

Everything on the tablethe cake, the champagne tower, the silverwarewent flying.

Expensive crystal shattered, and a sticky mess of wine and frosting covered the floor. The plaque celebrating our five years of marriage lay in pieces.

The entire hall was a scene of chaos. Everyone was stunned into silence.

Brenda, however, was just getting started. She grabbed me, her voice a shrill command.

Get on your knees!

Kneel in this mess and beg my daughter for forgiveness!

Mom, please, stop! Shell get hurt Lily protested, but as she spoke, she subtly kicked a razor-sharp shard of broken glass directly in front of my knees.

The shards edge glinted coldly under the ballroom lights.

Finally, a few guests started to murmur.

My God, this is too much.

Kneel on broken glass? Theyre trying to cripple her!

Well, shes the one who blew up the company group chat over nothing. You could say she brought this on herself.

Mr. Wheeler, isnt this going a bit too far?

Seriously, if she kneels on that, her legs will be shredded.

Marcus had watched the entire spectacle with cold indifference.

Only when Brenda looked ready to physically force me onto the glass did he leisurely stroll over and wave a dismissive hand.

Thats enough, Brenda.

Everyone assumed he was about to defuse the situation.

Kneeling wont be necessary, he said, his tone one of magnanimous mercy.

Then, he scanned the room, a smirk playing on his lips.

However, we cant let this evenings entertainment go unpunished. A little lesson is in order.

Lets play a little game, he announced.

Well hold an auction. Bidding starts at one dollar. The highest bidder gets the privilege of disciplining my unruly wife on my behalf.

He paused, his eyes locking with mine, and added, each word a drop of poison:

Hit her wherever you like.

The entire room stared at Marcus as if he were a madman.

That shock quickly morphed into a low, excited murmur.

Two dollars! A greasy man with a beer belly was the first to raise his hand, his eyes gleaming with a predatory light.

Fifty! another man shouted, his gaze crawling greedily over my body.

Eight hundred!

I was the main attraction at a grotesque carnival, a piece of merchandise to be sold to the highest bidder. My husband of five years was personally grinding my dignity into the dirt for public amusement.

The greasy man who started it all won the bid for a thousand dollars.

He rubbed his hands together, waddling toward me with a lecherous grin.

Mrs. Wheeler, no hard feelings. Ive always wondered what it would feel like to slap a high-class woman like you

His sweaty, fleshy hand rose high, preparing to strike.

My body was weak, my heart a dead, cold stone.