when she left he went crazy (Hope and Christopher)

Chapter 161: Breaking Your Pride Inch by Inch

I have to say, it broke my heart.

When I married Christopher, there was no engagement party, and even the wedding itself was orchestrated by Bentley, Christopher showed up only begrudgingly, his reluctance palpable.

The ceremony was far from grand; Christopher insisted on keeping it low-key. The attendees were limited to the Valence family and a handful of close friends from both sides. It resembled nothing more than a dinner gathering.

From the inception of our marriage to its dismal conclusion, the public only knew that Christopher cherished his wife, yet her identity remained a mystery to most.

1 composed myself, redirecting my gaze. I noticed Christopher striding in, his custom-tailored tailcoat accentuating his stern demeanor. Beside him, clutching his arm, was Kimberly, adorned in the very dress I had designed. They appeared impeccably matched, their grandeur and elegance drawing the attention of many guests eager to curry favor.

Kimberly, exuding the air of a hostess, approached me. "Ms. Royston, we invited you today to manage any last-minute issues with the dress. I hope it hasn't dampened your spirits?"

Elissa, with a cold warning tone, interjected, "Kimberly Harris, don't ruin your own celebration."

In professional settings, Elissa was adept at handling people, but privately, she wouldn't tolerate being bullied.

Kimberly retorted coldly, "Was I talking to you?"

I gently restrained Elissa, maintaining my gaze on Kimberly. "I'm in quite a good mood, actually. Congratulations on your engagement."

Don't focus on me-the insignificant ex-wife. I silently hoped to avoid being dragged into further conflict. Once today's engagement party concluded, it would all be over. Throughout the event, I didn't cast a single glance at Christopher.

I didn't want to, and I didn't dare to

Kimberly, momentarily taken aback, remarked, "I didn't expect Ms. Royston to be so composed,"

She shook Christopher's arm playfully. "Christopher, surely your marriage was just a contract, with no feelings for each other. Ms. Royston must have someone else she likes!"

Christopher, responding as if to a joke, looked down at Kimberly, his eyes cold. "Isn't that true for us as well? Just a marriage of convenience, each getting what they need."

Kimberly's attempt to embarrass me backfired spectacularly. She pouted at Christopher. "So what? You've already divorced her. But you and I, once we're married, will never be apart!"

I couldn't discern whether Kimberly's spiteful words were directed at Christopher or at me.

Naturally, I wouldn't remain and humiliate myself further. While Christopher and Kimberly engaged in their conversation, I discreetly led Elissa to a secluded corner.

For the remainder of the event, Kimberly seemed too preoccupied to confront me.

As the engagement ceremony unfolded, a familiar song began to play. As the artist's voice tilled the room, my mind wandered. This song, which I had listened to countless times, always stirred dreams of a bright future with Christopher.

But now Christopher was standing beside someone else.

Suddenly, gasps arose from the stage, followed by whispers among the guests. The status of the Valence and Harris families kept the murmurs hushed, though varied expressions of shock were evident,

I snapped back to reality to see Kimberly's dress slipping off her shoulders. Despite her frantic attempts to catch it, the dress became stuck at her waist, leaving her upper body exposed. The shoulder strap had snapped, scattering Australian white opals everywhere.

Chapter 161 Breaking Your Pune inch by Inch

My mind buzzed, and I heard Elissa exclaim. "Oh my God, Hope, how did this happen?"

I clenched my fists. "I don't know,"

This shouldn't have happened. When I sewed the dress, the stitches were meticulous, and it was tailored precisely to fit Kimberly's body. Even if the straps broke, it should have stayed in place temporarily, not fallen immediately. Unless the zipper at the back also failed simultaneously, but that seemed impossible. I had thisted the quality of the supplies from my time at the Valence Group.

Regardless, 1 made the dress myself, and I needed to help. Grabbing my coat, I rushed to the stage, only to be met with a stinging slap from Kimberly.

Kimberly shouted, "Did you do this on purpose? Trying to embarrass me today!"

Instinctively, I covered my burning face and retaliated with a slap. "Kimberly Harris, I wouldn't be so insane as to ruin my own reputation!"

Kimberly glared at me, ready to lash out again, but Christopher appeared and pulled her behind him, his expression stern, as he draped his coat over her. He looked every bit the protective fance. Skylar, accompanied by two bodyguards, approached, her chest heaving with anger. "Lock her up!"

Seeing Christopher frown, Skylar snerred, "Mr. Valence, you wouldn't still be defending her today, would you?”

Christopher didnt even spare me a glance, his tone as cold as winter frost. "Of course not. She's just an ex-wife."

"Alright!" At Skylar's command, the bodyguards moved immediately.

I knew this was the Harris family's territory, and Skylar had more than just two bodyguards at their disposal. With the weight of reality sinking in. I lowered my head, resigned. "There's no need for force. I'll go on my own."

Seeing my compliance, the bodyguards led the way, one in front and one behind me. Elissa tried to rush over but was held back by more guards.

We went straight to the hotel's basement where I was pushed into a car and driven to an exclusive villa area. In front of a secluded villa, the bodyguards dragged me out and shaved me into a storage room. One instructed sternly. "Stay here quietly until Mrs. Harris returns"

"Can I stay somewhere else?" I pleaded, my voice tinged with fear as the door began to close. The small, dark space triggered deep-seated terrors from my past

The bodyguard replied, "This is Mrs. Harris's order; we can't change it."

With that, the door clicked shut.

In the darkness, my first instinct was to find my phone, but it was back at the hotel. I fumbled for the light switch, but despite my efforts, it wouldn't work.

A bodyguard outside heard my agitation. "Stop wasting your energy," he remarked. "The power in the storage room is cut off."

All hope seemed lust.

Overwhelmed by memories, I slumped against the wall, my chest heaving with silent sobs. I remembered my desperate cries as a child, begging for mercy that never came. Now as an adult, I was mute, understanding more profoundly the brutal reality of power.

Years had taught me that without power, my voice held no weight. Today's engagement party only underscored the same relentless lesson. Whether I attended or not, they would find a pretext to imprison me here.

Despite all my efforts to live independently, my lack of power ensured my fate remained in others' control.

I had no sense of how much time had passed before 1 brand movement at the door. The lock turned, and light flooded in.

Skylar, elegantly dressed, looked down at me with a cold smile. "Hope R Royston, aren't you proud? Daring to hit my daughter on stage, today III break your pride inch by inch

When she left. He went brazy