Goodbye Cheater Hello CEO’s Wife by Payne Walter

Chapter 51

Rihanna smiled as Isabella tilted her head and said, “I told you that you look good when you smile. You should smile more often.”

Rihanna remained silent, focusing on washing the fruits, while Isabella ignored her.

They busied themselves in the kitchen, preparing fruit juice before bringing it to the coffee table, each with a glass in hand.

On that autumn evening, a slight chill lingered as they snuggled on the couch, wrapping themselves in a light blanket, and sipping fruit juice. Sleep cluded them as both had someone on their minds.

Finding solace in conversation, Isabella soon realized that Rihanna’s tale was a poignant one.

Rihanna was only three years old and Coles nine when their mother passed away.

Their stepmother, Karen, later entered their lives, showing exaggerated respect in the presence of their father, Gregory Vaughn, and others, almost as if she were a servant, fearing any criticism of her treatment of the stepchildren.

However, behind the scenes, Rihanna endured constant intimidation and mistreatment, her injuries concealed beneath her garments. She grew increasingly timid and fearful, trembling at the sight of Karen.

Rihanna displayed complete submission to Coles, always deferential. For a significant period, Coles remained unaware of the mistreatment Rihanna endured. When he eventually discovered it, he was filled with shock and outrage. He rebelled, publicly exposing Karen’s true nature. Unfortunately, he fell into her trap, leading to a severe beating from Gregory.

Subsequently, when Karen became pregnant, she frequently expressed concerns that Rihanna’s actions startled her unborn child. Consequently, Gregory’s affection shifted from reprimands to physical violence, gradually erasing the love he once showed her.

As Coles defended her and confronted Gregory with anger, he faced harsher punishments.

Over time, Rihanna transitioned from a cherished little princess to a fragile, emotionally vulnerable individual, while Coles, driven by his desire to shield her, his resentment toward Gregory’s injustices, and the rebellion of adolescence, neglected his studies. He became hot- tempered and fell in with a rough crowd, all in his quest to become a hero to safeguard Rihanna.

The birth of a daughter by Karen brought great joy to Gregory. However, Karen’s tendency to see unclean things and the constant crying of the baby caused unrest in the household.

Upon advice from Karen’s maternal family, Gregory consulted a home geomancy coven. The coven deemed Rihanna a jinx, destined to bring calamity upon her parents. They attributed her mother’s demise to her influence, predicting Gregory was next. However, because of Karen’s arrival, troubles befell her and her daughter first. Consequently, Gregory’s business would falter, leading to the family’s eventual downfall under Rihanna’s perceived curse, ultimately resulting in ruin and demise.

Soon after, one of Gregory’s ventures indeed failed, resulting in significant losses. That reinforced his belief in the coven’s words.

Even before turning seven, Rihanna was deemed a jinx, facing disdain from housekeepers who blamed her for any mishaps.

Feeling sensitive and internally wounded, Rihanna grew increasingly timid.

Coles was the sole protector who fiercely shielded her, enduring torment after torment on her behalf, offering comfort and cherishing her. He was the only source of warmth she had.

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Chapter 51

With Rihanna hospitalized once more, Gregory decided to send her to a convent to seek atonement for their family’s sins and blessings for

their entire household.

the day Rihanna was sent away,

in the convent until Coles

of Karen, was an elderly woman

people and withdrew completely, refusing to communicate. The only good thing was that nobody beat

no recognition toward anyone. Her daily activities revolved around daydreaming and sleeping. Despite being twelve years old, she looked like a seven-

him three

“brother.”

cried and held her in his arms, weeping

his side until she graduated from a university in Atharia. He sent her back to their homeland, enabling her to slowly

in astonishment.

cotton pajamas, her long hair flowing over her shoulders. Bathed in the soft light, her delicate face

sorrow and aloofness.

aura. Despite her aloof demeanor, tinged with coldness and melancholy, she stirred feelings of both pity and a desire to

engaged with anyone

didn’t initiate a conversation with Rihanna, she might go

had spent five years in silence, taking three more years to regain

emotions, Isabella leaned in and hugged Rihanna. Though initially resistant, Rihanna

embrace.

years searching for you,”

pain than Rihanna.

nodded gently in

after she was taken away. He acted like a madman, but he was just a 13–year–old child, with limited abilities. Consequently, he confronted Gregory recklessly and engaged

had become a prominent figure, felt deep shame to have a son like Coles. Consequently, Coles was unjustly labeled as mentally unstable and secretly confined to a psychiatric hospital, enduring four years of mental and physical torment alongside adult patients.

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Chapter 51

him, and he collapsed in an alley where two gangs were fighting. Mistakenly,

estranged uncle, banished

she was barely recognizable. Although his uncle urged him to abandon her, Coles refused, opting instead to comply with his

for Rihanna while managing his uncle’s underworld and legitimate enterprises,

sighing at the siblings‘ fate, thinking, “Rihanna was fortunate to have such a protective

I often

endured, it would be too unjust if anything happened to him. Rihanna, don’t fret. Our mother is watching over us from

Isabella’s shoulder and said, “I don’t remember my mother anymore. I was too young when she passed away. After five years of inhuman suffering, Coles

were in your shoes, I would only remember Coles, too. Having a brother like him would be truly

The

brought some solace to Rihanna. “Didn’t Edmund mention he’s your brother? And based on what his parents said over

all I remembered was my mother and grandfather’s will and the marriage contract.”

contract?” Rihanna asked,

I was a child. However, not long ago, during our engagement party, I saw a video of my fiancé betraying me with one of my college classmates.

sat up in surprise and looked at Isabella.