After Julian went with Layla, he did not return home for the whole week. He just left me a text.

[I'm going on a business tour and won't be coming home before the weekend.]

Within a few minutes, another text arrived.

[After you and your brother apologize to Claire in her birthday party, I'll take you out on a candle light dinner that you always wanted. Take care.]

I clenched the phone in my hand. He was luring me with a date at the same time lying about his business tour.

I had already checked Layla's new post in which she had posted the picture of a honeymoon suit. She was laying on a man's bare chest.

With one glance I could tell it was Julian. The tattoo of a lion was quite revealing to ignore.

But, I did not expose his lies. It was the least thing I cared about in my life now. I simply typed a message.

[Okay.]

After that, I blocked his number and destroyed the sim card.

On the other side, Julian was expecting a call from me, inspecting where he was and why did he go without me.

However, when his phone didn't rang despite him waiting for half an hour, he felt weird.

"Why did she not call me back? It's not like Claire... She should have called me by now, asking me if I had taken my medicine or taken my meals on time or not." He blurted out.

"Oh, come on, Julian." Layla sighed, wrapping her hands around his shoulder, "She is just throwing tantrums. Can't you see that?"

After having his first love rolled around him, he let other thoughts off and pulled her in his lap.

Passionately kissing her lips, he said, "You are right. I should not let her disturb our honeymoon. It's just us now."

They enjoyed the whole week visiting different places, shopping expensive accessories for Layla and then shaming our marriage by lying naked in the same bed.

After their 'honeymoon period' ended, they returned. However, Julian didn't go back to his home. Instead, he spent the whole day with Layla and took her to the Royal Palace where he had already arranged her birthday celebration.

The Royal Palace lived up to its name, dripping in gold leaf and illuminated by crystal chandeliers that cast a shimmering, honeyed glow over the city’s elite.

Julian had spared no expense; the grand ballroom was a sea of rare white orchids and vintage champagne, all curated to make Layla feel like the undisputed queen of his world.

Layla floated through the room in a bespoke silk gown, her hand tucked firmly into Julian’s arm. She basked in the envious stares of the guests.

Julian had invited big names to the party. Big producers, Directors, Business Tycoons, singers, actors, and stars. Everyone was gathered in a single ballroom.

He didn't spare journalists as well. The intention was to cover the scene when Claire and her brother would apologize. They must cover it in their camera and stream it live to clear Layla and her brother's name.

However, one of the journalists walked out of his group. He stood right in front of Layla who was all set to cut her birthday cake in the presence of stars and elite guests.

"Miss Layla! Is it true that your brother, David, has been detained for framing a rising star when infact he is the one who copied his note?" one reporter shouted over the din.

Layla’s face went bone-white, the knife trembling in her hand. "I... I don't know what you're talking about. David would never do that."

Julian stepped forward, shielding Layla with a protective arm. "What is the meaning of this? I did not invite you for this!"

But the reporters weren't interested in his outrage. They swarmed Layla, microphones thrust toward her face like silver daggers.

"The police just released a statement!" another journalist chimed in, the camera lens catching the sheer panic in her eyes.

"There are allegations that your entire 'honeymoon' was funded by the money your brother laundered in the scandel."

Layla turned to Julian as her escape. She looked up at him, her eyes filled with tears. "Julian! What is going on here? What should I do?"

"Why are they accusing me instead?" She asked.

Julian held a comforting hands on her shoulder and said in a gentle voice, "Don't worry, Layla. Once Claire arrives and confess on behalf of her brother, everything will be okay."

"Do you think she will do that?" Layla asked in a panicked voice, "What if she doesn't?"

Julian's eyes darkened as he said, "She will! She has no one to rely on. If she wants to live at my house, she will have to listen to me."

Just then the heavy oak door was pushed open. It wasn't the submissive wife Julian expected. Instead a man in black suit walked in.

He didn't shoot a glance over the VIP guests and the stars. He walked straight to Julian. Placing a pen drive in his hands, he said, "This is from Claire White. She asked me to deliver you."

Layla's eyes lit up. She quickly picked the pen drive from Julian's hands. Facing the reporters she said, "Watch this! The culprit you are supporting is already feeling too shameful to show up in public. That's why they have confessed their crime in the video instead."

Julian curled his lips into a smug glance. He wrapped his hands around Layla's waist and said, "That's right! My wife has already apologized Layla and her brother. What more evidence do you need to know Layla and her brother are innocent."

"If you still have some doubt, I can play this video before everyone."

After throwing out these words, Julian turned to look at his assistant as he commanded, "Play the video on the projector. Let them all witness the confession of Claire and Luke themselves."