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.

sent away, Coles was

the convent until Coles

relative of Karen, was an elderly woman devoted to her monastic practice.

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

the ability to speak, showing no recognition toward anyone. Her daily activities revolved around daydreaming and sleeping. Despite being twelve

him three years to coax

“brother.”

that day when the 21–year–old Coles cried and held her in his arms,

then, Coles had always kept her by his side until she graduated from a university in Atharia. He

in

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

sorrow and aloofness.

Despite her aloof demeanor, tinged with coldness

hardly engaged with anyone besides

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

five years in silence, taking three more years to regain

suppress her emotions, Isabella leaned in and hugged

embrace.

years searching for you,” Isabella remarked, sensing that Coles might have borne even

pain than Rihanna.

gently in

like a madman, but he was just a 13–year–old child, with limited abilities. Consequently, he confronted

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

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Chapter 51

hospital, he managed to escape, but exhaustion overcame him, and he

turned out to be his estranged uncle, banished from

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

managing his uncle’s underworld and legitimate enterprises, leading a precarious life.

thinking, “Rihanna was fortunate to have such a protective brother.

has suffered too much. I always worry that something will happen to him. I often dream of him drenched in blood. Just now, I dreamt that

her and offered reassurance, saying, “Don’t think too much. He’ll be fine. After all you’ve endured, it would be too unjust if anything happened to him. Rihanna, don’t fret. Our mother is watching over us from heaven. They won’t

shoulder and said, “I don’t remember my mother anymore. I was too young

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

The

he’s your brother? And based on what his parents said over

“I can’t recall anymore. Before I turned 12, all I remembered was my mother and

Rihanna asked, surprised.

grandfather arranged a betrothal for me when 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

surprise and looked at Isabella.