Chapter Eleven: The weight of Betrayal
Jaden was overjoyed when he received a promotion at work shortly after his wedding. The new role came with a salary three times higher than what he previously earned. It felt like life was finally smiling on him.
But that joy quickly turned to dismay at the end of the month—he received only ten percent of his salary. The remaining ninety percent was handed over to his wife, Vanessa. It stung. Still, he tried to convince himself it was for the greater good.
His regret deepened when he ran into Ruth, his former schoolmate. Though nothing happened between them, the mere sight of them together sparked rumors within the Trent family. They assumed he was cheating on Vanessa. He wasn't.
With his meager share, Jaden finally paid for the repair of his old bike, which had been abandoned at the mechanic's shop for weeks. He worked hard, both at the office and at home. No one told him outright that the housework was punishment, but he endured it anyway, hoping to earn favor from the Trents. He believed—perhaps foolishly—that one day, he would receive his full salary again.
He often imagined what it would be like to have all his earnings saved in the bank for months. That thought alone gave him hope and the strength to carry on with a good heart.
When his next ten percent arrived, Jaden decided to treat himself at a local restaurant. He resolved to enjoy the meal alone and avoid any encounters—especially with women.
But as soon as he stepped inside, the first face he saw was Ruth. His heart skipped a beat. Without hesitation, he turned around, walked straight back to his bike, and sped off—determined not to create more misunderstandings.
A few minutes later, he spotted another restaurant and decided to give it another try. He entered cautiously, scanning the room. But what he saw froze him.
There, laughing and posing for photos, was Vanessa—his wife—wrapped in the arms of another man.
Maybe he's a family member, Jaden tried to reason. But when he saw the man hugging her with such ease, his stomach twisted.
Vanessa had never once allowed Jaden to share a bed with her—let alone hug or kiss her. Not even on their wedding night. Watching her now, so freely affectionate with another man, made him feel like a fool.
Annoyance flared into anger. He stormed toward them.
Vanessa noticed him approaching and turned to the man beside her. "That's the man I told you about," she said, nodding in Jaden's direction.
"Let him come," the man—Jude—replied calmly. "I'll deal with him today."
Vanessa had met Jude just a month earlier. He was wealthy, charming, and exactly the kind of man she had always dreamed of marrying. Jaden, on the other hand, was an orphan with no formal education or resources. Without her family's support, she believed, he would have been homeless.
Jaden stopped in front of them, boiling with rage. "What the hell are you doing with my wife?" he demanded.
Jude smirked. "Who the hell are you to claim Vanessa as your wife?"
"I'm her husband. And if you don't stay away from her, you'll regret it."
Jude chuckled bitterly. "I don't blame you. You clearly have no idea who I am. If you did, you'd have kept your mouth shut." He raised his hand and signaled. "Teach him a lesson."
Five bodyguards emerged from the shadows, surrounding Jaden. One of them grabbed his shirt and tried to drag him outside.
Jaden wasn't surprised. He had expected trouble—but they didn't know who they were dealing with.
Outside, the guard who had dragged him sneered, but before he could speak, Jaden slapped him hard. The man stumbled back in shock.
"What the hell—" the guard began, but another stepped forward and slapped Jaden in retaliation.
The slap burned, but Jaden stood his ground. In a flash, he landed a hard punch straight to the man's nose. Blood burst from it instantly.
Another guard lunged. Jaden caught the man's arm, twisted it, and flung him aside before landing a solid kick to his ribs.
Three more guards joined in. Jaden dodged their attacks with precision, striking one in the chest and delivering swift punches to the other two.
The last guard came at him with a high kick. Jaden ducked, then drove his fist into the man's stomach. The guard doubled over and vomited food onto the ground.
Jaden stood alone, breathing heavily, surrounded by groaning men. The pain, the humiliation, the silence he had endured for months—all of it had erupted in those brutal minutes.
But this wasn't over.
Not by a long shot.
Jaden stormed back into the restaurant, determined to confront Vanessa and Jude once more.
Inside, he spotted them seated at a corner table, deep in conversation. Without hesitation, he marched toward them.
"You again? You're still with my wife?"
Jude looked up, startled—but more curious than afraid. He wondered how Jaden had reached him unscathed. Did he actually defeat all my bodyguards? the thought flashed through his mind.
"What the hell? Who are you calling 'boy'? Are you referring to me?" Jude stood abruptly, slamming his hand on the table.
Jaden didn't answer. Instead, he raised his hand to slap him. But Jude was quick—he dodged the blow and countered with a sharp kick.
Jaden was knocked off his feet and hit the floor hard.
Dazed, he questioned himself. Is Jude actually stronger than me? Or am I just weak after fighting those bodyguards? He pulled himself up, breathing heavily, determined not to back down.
But by the time he got to his feet, Jude was already grabbing Vanessa's hand and heading for the exit.
Jaden assumed Jude was trying to escape and followed immediately.
Outside, Jude looked around, clearly searching for his bodyguards—but none were in sight. His face twisted in frustration.
Before he could react, Jaden launched a flying kick, slamming him into the wall and knocking him away from Vanessa. Jude groaned as his back hit the concrete.
Fueled by rage, Jaden charged forward and landed three powerful punches to Jude's mouth. Blood began to pour from his lips.
Vanessa screamed, her voice trembling. "Jaden, stop! Please, don't hurt him!"
Jaden froze. He turned to her, breathing hard. "Let's go," he said.
"Leave me alone! After hurting my husband, you think I'd go with you? I'm not leaving with you," she snapped.
Her words hit Jaden like a slap to the face.
Vanessa rushed to Jude's side, crouched beside him, and gently touched his bloodied cheek. "Sorry, Jude. Let's go home. I'll deal with him when he comes back."
Jude winced but managed to stand with her help. If I'd known Jaden could fight like this, I would've just gone home. I never should have challenged him, he thought.
Jaden stood motionless, watching them walk away together. They got into Jude's sleek black SUV—Vanessa behind the wheel, since Jude could barely move.
Jaden's chest ached, not from the fight, but from betrayal. If he had known Vanessa had another man—someone she truly called her husband—he wouldn't have wasted his time.
After everything he'd endured—giving up ninety percent of his salary, doing house chores to earn respect—he never expected her to betray him.
He wasn't even angry about the money. What hurt most was the humiliation. The woman he loved had been cheating on him all along.
He stood there, lost in thought, unsure whether to return to the restaurant or go home. His mind spun with confusion and pain.
If this were just a dream, he thought, I'd be grateful to wake up.
The weight of it all hit him at once. He remembered how the Trent family had treated him. All the silence he had swallowed to keep the peace. And now—this.
Tears welled in his eyes.
He walked slowly to his parked bike, sat down on it, and wept—alone, with no one to console him.
What next? he wondered. Is there any woman out there who won't betray me?
Is it because I'm an orphan? Is that why I'm always treated like I don't matter?
He lifted his head and muttered, "Only God can turn things around."
After sitting in silence for a long time, Jaden started his bike and headed toward the Trent home.
He didn't know what to expect—but he had nowhere else to go.
Forty-five minutes later, he arrived at the compound. Several cars were parked outside. Among them, Jude's black SUV.
He wasn't surprised. Vanessa had clearly driven him home.
Jaden parked his bike, got off slowly, and walked toward the front door. But as he got closer, his heart began to pound.
They'll support Vanessa. No one will take my side, he thought. Should I turn back?
He paused at the entrance, frozen—caught between the pain of staying and the shame of walking away.