Chapter Two Dead Silent

 (Ethan’s POV)

My eyes moved, searching for Selena in the room. One of the security men called to inform me that she was here. When I didn’t find her, I glanced at Sara. She was already on her feet.

Betty moved, standing in front of me.

“Ethan, thank you for hosting me. I’ll be expecting you for the housewarming party. You can’t miss it,” she said, placing both hands around my chest.

I frowned as I watched them move. Before I could stop myself, my hand caught them, stopping their movement. Something about it being there felt wrong. Like not right.

Betty’s eyes flickered as I stepped away, but she made no comment.

“Where is she?” I turned to Sara.

“Mrs. Callaway had fainted. She was rushed to the hospital, but she is back at the mansion now.”

Selena had fainted?

Betty’s hands snaked around mine, causing me to glance at our linked hands.

“Are you all right?” she asked.

“Of course.”

Again, I pulled my hand away from her, but she held on tight.

“Are you sure?” I paused, nearly considering my next words.

“Yes, I am.”

Betty nodded as if she bought my words. But her silence proved something else.

“She will be fine. You don’t need to worry,” she said after a while, “Selena. She will be fine.”

I recognized the bait immediately. Betty didn’t care about Selena. And she wasn’t trying to comfort me. No, she was inquiring. Fishing for something. My reaction.

She wanted to know if I cared about Selena, if she should see Selena as a threat.

And one thing I have learnt about Betty's beliefs about threats is they should be removed before they could cause real harm.

I shrugged dismissively.

“I’m not concerned for her welfare, Bet. She has been on my neck without a break. Maybe I can finally have some quiet.”

"But she is your wife," she stated, her tone bitter.

"And you are the one I have always loved." Surprise flashed through her eyes at my words. Silence followed. The tension thickened.

Betty opened her mouth to say something but changed her mind.

"Come, I will walk you to your car." I walked ahead, Betty's heels clicking behind me. My words just now had completely thrown her off guard.

But my statement wasn't for her. Although I didn't care about Selena, especially with the way she had been getting on my nerves lately, I still liked her better alive.

I stopped as we reached the pink Benz and waited for Betty to enter. But she stopped in front of me instead.

"You should go back. Go and see her, Ethan. She fainted here; if news gets out..." She left it hanging to sound kind.

"Fine."

She walked closer, straightening the hems of my shirt and then my tie before brushing her lips against my cheek.

"And do not miss it, okay?" she said before entering the car. I nodded and watched as the car roared to life, driving away.

My hand reached into my pocket, pulling out a handkerchief, wiping the spot Betty had kissed earlier.

If it had been before, I would have been thrilled that she kissed me, but now it was different. Not sparing any more seconds, I left for my car.

~~~

The house was quiet, dead silent.

Selena's petite figure came into view as I entered the living room.

She didn't turn at my footsteps, nor flash me that bright smile I had been used to for the past years whenever I returned from work. She just sat there, shoulders squared, staring into space as if she were in some sort of trance.

I walked closer.

"Selena?" I called, but she didn't answer.

A shiver ran down my spine, and I called again.

"Selena?" Her face broke slightly, she moved her head towards me, then stared down at her hands, which seemed to have turned white around something.

She brought it up, and there I caught it—her vitamin bottle. Selena brought it up, her face in a small frown.

"You lied," she hissed, her tone thick with venom.

"Why?" Her eyes met mine, the emptiness I saw in them making my skin tingle.

I paused, confusion lacing my mind at her question.

When I didn't answer, she slammed her hand against the table surface.

Seconds later, a crack was heard followed by the scattering of pills on the floor.

My gaze fell on some of the pills that had rolled to my feet, and I glared at Selena. But there was no trace of remorse on her face. Just neutrality.

What was wrong with her?

The pills were not ordinary. They were vitamins imported from abroad. They had been specifically recommended for her after her accident and were supposed to help strengthen her body, preparing her womb for whenever we wanted to try for children.

And now she just casually spilled them on the floor.

Was this because of Betty?

"What does this mean?"

"I deserve an explanation," she shouted, rising from her seat. My brows furrowed in surprise. Selena had never raised her voice before.

I stepped forward.

"Fine. If that is what you want."

"Betty is back," I stated, waiting for her to react. But Selena just stared back, no trace of emotion in her eyes.

"I have always loved her," I pressed on.

I knew it was low of me, but I added, "You were her substitute. A temporary replacement. Now she is back, let's get a divorce."

Kneel. Beg. Shout. Scream. I waited.

But she didn't.

Instead, a cool smile grazed her lips, one that sent a shiver through my spine.

Her right hand moved to her left, tugging on her fingers and before I could blink, she removed a shinny metal. Her wedding ring, and placed it on the table.

"This is your ring. I am done with this marriage."

I didn't know whether I should cry or laugh. I knew the drugs from the hospital had affected a part of her brain; I just didn't expect it to be this severe.

But drugs or not, Selena returned minutes later with her packed bags.

Just before she walked out, she paused by my side.

"I'll send the divorce papers to you," she said, then walked out.

A part of me wanted to stop her, tell her I was not serious earlier, but I didn't.

One thought lingered in my mind.

There was no way Selena was serious. She would come around.