Rejected by my Husband novel Chapter 5

Reid’s POV

The car screeched to a halt outside the club, the neon lights burning against the night sky. The bass from inside throbbed in my chest before I even stepped out. My driver climbed quickly from his seat and hurried to me.

“Sir...Madam went inside hours ago. She hasn’t come back out.”

My jaw tightened. “Why didn’t you call me sooner?”

“I… I thought she only wanted to blow off steam,” he stammered.

I didn’t waste another word. I pushed through the entrance, the smell of sweat, alcohol, and smoke hitting me at once. Lights flashed across the packed dance floor where bodies moved in sync with the music.

“Karline!” I shouted above the noise, scanning the crowd. Faces blurred past me, strangers swaying, laughing, kissing, but not her. My chest ached as I shoved past the dancers, searching every corner, every table.

I pulled out my phone and dialed her, but the call went unanswered. Straight to voicemail.

“Damn it,” I muttered, raking a hand through my hair.

I went further in, toward the velvet ropes that marked the VIP section. A bouncer stepped in front of me until recognition flickered in his eyes. Being CEO had its advantages, I didn’t even need to argue. He stepped aside.

The VIP room was quieter, the music muffled, the air heavy with the scent of expensive liquor and perfume. Private booths lined the walls, curtains drawn on most. My gut twisted. Something felt wrong.

The curtain whipped back, and my world shattered.

Kar.

my karline.

My wife.

Curled against Adrian in the dim booth, her dress slipping off her shoulder, her hair wild, her lips parted as if she’d just been kissed. His arm was locked tight around her waist, his shirt unbuttoned halfway, smug satisfaction written all over his face.

I froze, my heart pounding like a war drum.

“Karline!” My voice roared above the muffled bass.

Her lashes fluttered. She stirred, blinking up at me with glassy eyes. “Reid?” Her voice was soft, slurred, like she was waking from a dream.

Adrian chuckled, stretching like a cat disturbed from its nap. “You’re loud.”

Rage surged through me. “What the hell is this?!”

She tried to push herself up, but her body swayed and collapsed back against the cushions. Her hand reached weakly toward me. “I don’t… I don’t know what happened. Reid, I was just dancing and then..”

Adrian cut her off smoothly, his voice dripping poison. “Don’t lie now, darling. You told me you were lonely. You said you were horny, begged me to touch you. You practically threw yourself at me.”

The words sliced me open.

Karline’s eyes widened in horror. “No! Reid, no, I never said that!” She struggled upright, her body trembling. “He’s lying..I swear on ..”

I stepped closer, my voice raw. “You’re not even drunk, Damnit. Don’t you dare pretend you don’t know what you were doing.”

Her face crumpled, tears spilling down her cheeks. “I’m dizzy, my head is spinning..I swear something’s wrong with me. Please, believe me, Reid, I’d never_”

Adrian smirked over her shoulder. “You seemed fine when you were grinding on me a little while ago. Maybe your husband doesn’t know what his perfect wife really wants.”

“Shut your filthy mouth!” I lunged, fisting his collar and slamming him against the wall. My fury shook through my arms. “If you touched her without her consent, I’ll bury you.”

Adrian only laughed, his eyes gleaming. “Consent? She was begging, Reid. Why don’t you ask her?”

Karline’s voice cracked through sobs. “Reid, he’s lying! I tried, but my body wouldn’t listen. You have to believe me!”

But the sight, the sight of her in his arms, flushed and weak, his hands all over her, was burned into my brain.

“How can I believe you?” My chest heaved as the words ripped from me. “Do you know what I see right now? I see my wife, not drunk, not unconscious, but sitting in another man’s arms at midnight, letting him touch her. Do you know what that does to me?”

Her lips trembled. “I didn’t let him! I couldn’t stop him, please, you have to trust me!”

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