All Chapters of Rising from Betrayal: Chapter 1
- Chapter 10
13 chapters
Chapter 001
White ceiling. That was all Norman Calloway ever saw in this hospital, for the past two weeks.His body felt like stone due to the accident two weeks ago. Heavy, stiff, refusing to move no matter how hard he commanded it.His throat was plugged with a breathing tube that felt like burning iron every time air was pumped into his lungs.Then the sound of the door opening pulled his gaze toward it. Two figures walked in—a doctor in a white coat, and a woman with long brown hair wearing an elegant black dress.Vivienne.His wife.Warmth spread through Norman's chest. She finally came to visit.But something about the way Vivienne walked made him go still. There was no panic. No tears. Her steps were easy, almost... light. Like someone who had just finished shopping, not visiting a dying husband.The doctor—his name pinned to his chest, Dr. Marcus Webb—opened a tablet and began speaking in a professional tone."Mr. Calloway's condition remains critical, ma'am. However, his vital organs are
Chapter 002
The next second, light came.Warm light. Golden yellow. The scent of fresh flowers.Norman blinked.“Norman, move!""I have a party to attend. Nathan will be downstairs any minute to pick me up.""Just because we're married doesn't mean you get to control me. You have no right to imprison me in this marriage or use your title as my husband to take away my freedom.”“Now get out of my way!"Norman snapped out of his daze.He recognized who was speaking.Vivienne.Young. Stunning. Not a trace of the fine lines that had crept into the corners of her eyes in her forties.She wore a low-cut black knee-length dress that hugged every curve of her body perfectly.Brown hair pinned up, one strand left to fall against her cheekHer makeup was immaculate.Anywhere she went, she would have been the center of attention.She looked exactly as she had twenty years ago, shortly after they were married.The only thing that hadn't changed was the icy look in her eyes.This...There was no mistake.This
Chapter 003
"Norman!"Vivienne's voice rose sharply, cutting through his thoughts."Are you deaf?! I'm talking to you!"The impatience on Vivienne's face deepened into open irritation."Did you seriously just ignore me?" she snapped."If you don't move right now, I'm really going to lose my temper."Norman let out a cold laugh."Lose your temper?"His eyes hardened."What the hell gives you the right?"For twenty-two years, he had swallowed every grievance, obeyed every request, satisfied every unreasonable demand.Looking back now...He wanted nothing more than to slap his younger self across the face.What the hell was he thinking?With his abilities, his family's wealth and influence, what kind of woman couldn't he have married?So why...Why had he obsessed over Vivienne as though she'd cast some spell on him?I was such a damn right fool!"What... did you just say?"Vivienne's beautiful eyes widened in disbelief."You actually dared yell at me? Have you lost your mind?!"For the first time s
Chapter 004
Inside his mind, something finally stopped spinning—like a wheel that had been forced to turn the wrong way for far too long, and had now, without warning, gone still.Norman walked straight into the apartment, brushing past Vivienne without so much as a glance.He was hungry.He had spent the entire afternoon preparing a lavish birthday dinner with his own hands, only for her to stand him up for another man.He had waited.He hadn't touched a single dish, even after the food had gone cold.Then he had rushed out again, carrying two hundred and fourteen roses all the way back.By now, his stomach was practically empty.And yet...Not once had Vivienne asked whether he had eaten.The only thing she cared about was whether her precious Nathan might accidentally eat a peanut.A cold, mocking smile tugged at the corner of Norman's mouthSome wife you are.”Norman!“ Vivienne finally snapped out of her daze."What exactly is your problem? Are you doing this just to spite me?"”Nothing like
Chapter 005
Norman didn't turn around. Didn't let out a heavy sigh. Didn't do any of the things he used to do every time Vivienne stormed out—rush to the door, pull it back open, call after her.He simply walked back to the sofa and sank into it.A smile slowly spread across his face.For the first time so far, the future actually looked worth looking forward to.If he remembered correct, right now, he was still in the middle of building his company.The business was barely surviving.Its cash flow was stretched to the limit, forcing him to work from dawn until long after midnight every single day.And after dragging his exhausted body home, he still had to endure Vivienne's cold face.If he accidentally upset her, he'd spend hours swallowing his pride just to coax her into a better mood.Every waking hour, every single day, he had lived under constant pressure.Even sleep had become a luxury.Later, it only got worse.Night after night, year after year, until insomnia became part of his life.Th
Chapter 006
He slowly clenched his fist."And if I ever become that pathetic again...""I'll deserve everything that happens to me."He let out a long breath."To hell with this love.""From now on, I only care about two things. My family... and making big money."The last sentence came out almost like a roar.It wasn't directed at Mrs. Walker.It was a declaration to himself.A promise forged from two lifetimes of regret.Mrs. Walker instinctively glanced toward the door.From beneath the gap at the bottom, the shadows of feet that hadn't moved were still visible.The neighbors were still lingering.She lowered her voice, "I understand, Mr. Calloway. But perhaps... you should keep your voice down. The neighbors are still outside.""Let them hear." Norman shrugged. "I'd bet they're already placing bets on how long it takes before I give in and run after Vivienne."A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth."They're all going to lose. Tonight I just want to eat a proper meal and start living
Chapter 007
In the lobby of Grand Corholt Tower, the night air drifted in through the automatic glass doors every time someone passed, carrying with it the smell of rain that had just let up and the damp scent of the city.Vivienne stood near the entrance, one hand on her bag, the other scrolling through her phone. Her lips were still slightly tight from the anger upstairs, but her eyes were already bright with an anticipation she couldn't quite hide.Headlights swept across the lobby from outside.A black Bentley Continental pulled up directly in front of the entrance. Smooth, silent, chrome rims catching the glow of the streetlights. The driver's door opened.Nathan Voss stepped out.Tall, with broad shoulders that filled a tailored dark grey suit perfectly. His hair was dark brown, neatly styled with one strand left to fall across his forehead—deliberate, but not overdone.A strong jaw. Brown eyes that had a habit of looking at a person as if they were the only one in the room. The Patek Phili
Chapter 008
Imperial Lounge was on the twenty-third floor of the Harlow Square building—a bar with floor-to-ceiling glass walls, dim golden lighting, and a sweeping view of Corholt spread wide beyond the windows.Five men and one woman were already seated at the VIP table, trading drinks and laughter when Vivienne and Nathan arrived.The moment they stepped inside, every pair of eyes turned toward them, each wearing the same knowing smile.Everyone there knew about Vivienne and Nathan's history.Nathan only had to make a single call, and Vivienne would come running—no matter how late it was, even if it happened to be her birthday.If anyone claimed there was nothing between them, no one at the table would believe it."Finally!" Camille, in a wine-red dress with dark hair pinned up, called from the end of the table.Her eyes went straight to Vivienne's hand in Nathan's, and a teasing grin stretched wide on her face."I knew Nathan could get you out, even at this hour."Vivienne merely forced a fai
Chapter 009
“Who the hell are you?”Camille froze for a beat."I'm Camille, Viv's best friend. What, you think I don't have the right to call you out?"Norman let out a cold snort."Who the hell asked for your opinion? Mind your own damn business. Now get lost, you bitch!"Click.The line went dead."What?!" Camille stared at the darkened screen.Nobody had ever hung up on her before. Her face burned with humiliation.Meanwhile, back at the apartment, Norman calmly dropped Camille's number to his blacklist before tossing the phone onto the table.He already knew exactly why Camille had called.Women like Camille had no sense of shame.Facts never mattered to them.They only cared about taking sides, protecting their own interests, and always wanting more.So why wast his time?Birds of a feather flock together.Camille's love life had always been a complete mess.Even in his previous life, the gossip surrounding her and her sugar daddys had never stopped.Just hearing her voice again was enough t
Chapter 010
She picked up her wine glass."Come on. Let's drink. Don't let him ruin the night."The tension gradually faded.The background music shifted to something livelier, the wine went into its third bottle, and the conversation found its flow again between laughter and old stories.But Vivienne wasn't fully there.Every few minutes, her eyes drifted to her phone on the table—screen dark, no notifications, no missed calls.She had already made up her mind.The moment Norman called, she'd hang up.No matter how desperately he apologized or begged for forgiveness, she wouldn't give him the chance.Hoverever, half an hour passed.Then another.Still nothing.Her brows slowly knitted together.Why hadn't he called yet?What was that idiot actually thinking?!That wasn’t like Norman.Whenever they argued, he was always the first to give in. Always the first to apologize.But tonight... there was nothing.Enough.Vivienne grabbed her phone, pressed Norman's name, and held it to her ear.Just wait