Victor's POVI couldn't stand to look at this place any longer. It only made me miss Emelia so much more, and holding on to the foolish hope that she'd somehow come back and forgive me was making me go mad.I needed to get out of here.So, I set the car in reverse and made the slow drive down the dirt path. Anguish coated my tongue in its thickness, and it hurt to swallow the reality of what my life would now be like without her.I didn't want to accept it; I couldn't. While she still lived and breathed, I would have a chance. I'd fight for it, too.But for now, I couldn't help but give Emelia the space she needed… Especially so I could keep her safe from whatever my mother seemed to have up her sleeve.As I was halfway down the dirt path, I spotted another car heading past me towards the cottage. I slowed my pace even more, feeling the rise of suspicion crawl up my spine.No one else was supposed to know about this place. I sure as hell didn't tell anyone, and there were only two peop
Emelia’s POVI was totally confused when my best friend, Alexis, texted me and said that she saw my husband and I at a restaurant.Because I was at home currently. On the sofa. In a robe with a mask on my face.And my husband, Victor, was supposed to be at work. At least, that was what he texted me a few hours ago.Ding!Alexis: I see you and Victor in the restaurant :P You two are just the sweetest couple! Me: Um, you might wanna get your eyes checked, bestie. :P I'm at home right now!I sat my phone down and laid back against the sofa while I let my face mask settle. But my phone kept buzzing anyway.Ding! Ding!Alexis: I know what Victor looks like! But if that woman turning the back on me isn't you… there might be some trouble!Alexis: OMG!! Listen to this NOW!!Ding! It was an audio message. That made me sit up on the sofa immediately. I pressed play without hesitation."Oh, Victor, I know you still think of me.” The unknown woman's voice chimed in.“I have always been thinking
Emelia’s POVShock hijacked my nerves as I sat there in disbelief. Victor had never lied to me before, and now all of a sudden he was?He'd never hung up on me like this before either! What was going on?It was genuinely starting to worry me with how Victor was behaving. Was everything truly okay with him? I stayed up all night as my mind ran rampant. I stressed cleaning our closet and organized every article of clothing to try and settle down, but it didn't work. It wasn't until close to midnight that Victor finally came home."Hey, I'm surprised to see you're awake." Victor hung up his coat and came to sit next to me. "Is everything alright?""I should be asking you that question. What happened earlier tonight? I was trying to call you and ask you when you'd be home and you just hung up on me."Victor took out his phone from his pocket and handed it to me. "I didn't realize that my phone was on low battery and it died."I thought about holding the power button to see if he was lyin
Emelia’s POVI stood in disbelief as Victor rushed to Lily's side. It had to have been her—his changed behavior for her matched his changed behavior for the woman from last night!Not only had he lied to me about who he was with the other night, but he completely canceled plans with his grandfather for her.What was really going on between them? Why couldn't he just tell me the truth from the start?"Lily! Is everything okay?" Victor asked, his voice laced with worry. "I got here just as soon as I could.""Everything's fine now that you're here." Lily's smile was fragile. “I was too scared, I thought I wouldn’t see you again…” her voice trembled.“I'm here with you now, and that's all that matters.” Victor held her hand tightly. “Are you alright? Are you sick? What happened?”“Hey, I'm not a kid anymore! You don't need to worry too much.” She turned into laughter."Of course I'm going to worry about you!" Victor smiled then. "I'm always going to worry when it comes to you. I swear, y
Emelia’s POV"What? I didn't do anything!" I basically yelled."Emelia! Lily's in the hospital, and you're throwing glass at her? What reason could you have to do that? Why would you try to hurt her?" Victor shouted back. His voice was cold towards me, as he held onto Lily's hand."So you're just going to believe her over your own wife?! Just like that? Like you actually think I'd do something so low as to hurt someone in the hospital?!" I fired back.Instead, Victor ignored my words and drew his attention to Lily and the broken glass. I watched as he carefully collected the pieces and threw them away."Are you hurt anywhere? Did the glass get you?" Victor asked softly, giving her hand a light squeeze."No, no. I'm okay now that you're here." Lily's smile was small. "Please don't leave me alone with her again..."Irritation crawled underneath my skin like a bug just by hearing Victor's change in tone as he spoke to Lily. I had to tune out their conversation because I genuinely thought
Emelia’s POVLily, Lily, Lily.Why was she everywhere I went?"Why is she being given my position, Trevor? Am I not doing enough?"Trevor sighed. "You know you're one of our best, Emelia. And I really am sorry, but Mr. Russo made it perfectly clear that this decision was his—you know I can't refute his word."I knew Victor’s words couldn't be swayed by anyone.Still, I could maybe accept someone else getting the promotion, but not Lily. Especially since she only got the position because of her connections, and not because she was qualified.It also didn't help that she and Victor had secrets between them I knew nothing about…"Are you alright? You look a little unwell." Trevor asked."I’m fine, I just need a moment." I responded. "Do you mind if I go back to my office?""Of course, I know it's a lot to take in." Trevor looked at me with concern. "But don't be too upset, okay? Stuff like this happens all the time. After all, she’s the CEO’s friend. It's normal for some people to have
Emelia's POVTime slowed to an agonizing crawl as I felt the muscles in my body freeze. I couldn't even think of anything smart to say. Victor had never mentioned anything in the company belonging to Lily, much less the entity as a whole! There was nothing about the company that implied their connection, which was what confused me even more.Lily noticed my shock and looked at me with a smug smile. "Actually, it's not of your concern. Simply put, Victor is just too good to me. I mean, I understand you're married and everything, but you don't understand him like I do. Or maybe he just doesn't value you that much?"You're not actually serious, are you?" I was almost unable to control my anger. Lily shook her head. "Don’t speak to me in that manner, I'm simply telling the truth. You've known him for all of what? 3 years? Why do you think you know Victor like I do?""Lily!" Victor reprimanded. "That’s enough.""But…" Lily's expression changed. She pouted her lip with tears welling at t
Emelia's POVThe love and warmth of our shared moment vanished like a water droplet against scorching pavement. Irritation crawled up my spine at the sight of her texts.Especially when she was still questioning what was supposed to be Victor's decision on the matter of the shares."Lily seems to still be concerned about my decision about giving you the company shares. But don't worry, I won't be going back on my word. She means well, though."Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!Then four more text messages came in."It seems like she has more to complain about." I answered flatly.Victor turned his phone so it would face me. "Look for yourself. None of it should be that important during work hours anyway."Lily: Emelia really isn’t up to the task. She’s only fit to be an employee. Don’t let marriage cloud your judgment :(Lily: How can I not worry about you? In the company, I not only have to look out for you, but also manage my own work. It's exhausting!Lily: All this paperwork is giving me a h
Victor's POVI couldn't stand to look at this place any longer. It only made me miss Emelia so much more, and holding on to the foolish hope that she'd somehow come back and forgive me was making me go mad.I needed to get out of here.So, I set the car in reverse and made the slow drive down the dirt path. Anguish coated my tongue in its thickness, and it hurt to swallow the reality of what my life would now be like without her.I didn't want to accept it; I couldn't. While she still lived and breathed, I would have a chance. I'd fight for it, too.But for now, I couldn't help but give Emelia the space she needed… Especially so I could keep her safe from whatever my mother seemed to have up her sleeve.As I was halfway down the dirt path, I spotted another car heading past me towards the cottage. I slowed my pace even more, feeling the rise of suspicion crawl up my spine.No one else was supposed to know about this place. I sure as hell didn't tell anyone, and there were only two peop
Victor's POVIt had been… what? Two years since I'd seen this place? Despite that, this little cottage hadn't lost its charm. I still thought it to be just as magical as if I were laying eyes on it for the first time all over again.However, the sight of it was bittersweet as a pang of pain pinched my heart. I was in a daze at how I got here, but maybe it was because this place was trying to tell me something.Something that I'd been lying to myself about this entire time.Lily meant nothing to me now.From when we were kids up until everything went to shit, I harbored a lot of sympathy for Lily. While her parents were indeed wealthy and provided her with many materialistic things, she never had a real relationship with them.If her mother wasn't away on business trips, then her father was away due to classified military training or missions.For the most part… She was alone.So, when she moved to my city of Blasdell and started attending the private academy I was at, for some reason,
Victor's POVA dark cloud hung over my head as I left my mother's mockery of a home. I was in a worse mood than when I showed up. Even the warmth of the midday sun couldn't penetrate my body enough to reach my cold heart.What kind of connections did my mother really have? How did she come to know about Emelia's move to Italy?And did she truly have a means to harm her?After everything that I'd put her through, I couldn't stomach the thought of anything else happening to Emelia. Back then, I wasn't able to save her from the damage that I'd directly caused.But now… I was given a second chance. Even if that meant bending and breaking myself to my mother's will.I just couldn't wrap my head around any of it. Could this not just be another manipulation tactic? Was I being deceived so she could tighten the leash she had around me?I gripped my hands tight around the steering wheel.I was no one's dog. Not a puppet to be controlled, or some pawn that was to be sacrificed in favor of the Ki
Victor's POVThe drive was silent as I dreaded the familiar street names that spelled me getting closer to my mother's home. She was the last person on this damn planet I wanted to see. Even if she may have not been the sole reason for what was wrong in my marriage, she sure as hell played a big fucking part in it.There was no forgiving her for the way she treated Emelia; especially since she'd tried so hard to win her affections. The disrespect, the insults, the snarky remarks.I was too damn blind to see the damage it was causing. Emelia didn't deserve that treatment. And she sure as hell didn't deserve a spineless husband who did nothing to prevent it.I gripped the steering wheel harder once I turned onto the driveway of my mother's multi-storied home. The blood in my veins ran cold. I didn't want to be here.A few minutes passed while I continued to sit in the car. Its engine hummed since I still had the key in the ignition.I could just leave.It's what I wanted to do.I should
Victor's POVThe walls that surrounded this meeting room were nothing short of a fucking prison. Despite the people that were around me, it felt like I was in solitary confinement. And I wanted nothing more than to break out.For the last hour, I've sat here and endured the mindless drabbling of my subordinates. The atmosphere was so thick and heavy from the storm that raged in my mind, that none of them dared to even address me.It allowed me to brood at the head of the table in peace. Or relatively so. It would've been better if it was silent.In truth, I had no idea what this meeting was supposed to even be about. Not like I cared; and haven't done so in the last few days. Luckily for me, Rosalie was attentive and never spared the details she wrote in her notepad or clicked on on her keyboard. She'd send me the details later anyway.My mind was in shambles and ruin; left in disarray due to the betrayal of someone I least expected.My grandfather.I just couldn't believe it. A part o
Emelia's POVI shook my head, trying to ground myself back to this reality as I took the phone from Mason. It was Lady Ruby."H-hello?" I croaked, not realizing that my throat had gone dry."Is everything alright, sweetie?" Lady Ruby asked. "You don't sound too well."I cleared my throat and composed myself. "Y-yes, everything's fine. I just still need to adjust to the heat of this place."Mason snickered, but I pinched him."You'll grow to love it for sure. That Italian sun will do wonders for your skin!' Lady Ruby laughed. "But the reason I called was to check up on you and relay some information about the new project.""I love it here already, don't worry." I smiled. "But I'm ready for whatever it is you need from me! I'm excited to finally be able to start working on this project with you!""That's the spirit!" Lady Ruby enthused. "Well, more of the finer details are in the works, but an old friend and colleague of mine has plans to hold a wedding in the gardens of Isola Bella for
Emelia's POV"Last time I checked, yeah." Mason laughed. "I've got my driver's license and passport if you need to check. No birth certificate, though. That'll cost extra to get sent here."I scrunched my face in disbelief. "I-I don't understand. W-what are you doing here? Why are you here? When did you get here?""Oh, I'm sorry, officer." Mason teased. "I didn't realize I was being brought in for questioning!""Mason!""Just kidding! I'll tell you everything you want to know, I promise. But can I come in?" He smiled sheepishly as he wiped a bead of sweat from his brow. "I don't know how you've adjusted to all this heat! I feel like a vampire in need of shade!"I ushered Mason into my home, climbing the stairs to the top floor where the kitchen was. Sitting two glasses onto the marbled island, I pulled out a pitcher of fresh lemonade and some ice trays.I then walked back to the fridge, staring idly at the ingredients. In truth, I knew I wasn't looking to make a meal. If anything, I wa
Emelia's POVThree days have passed since I arrived in Italy. Accommodations for me were already made, but I wasn't expecting something as luxurious as this! Even though Lady Ruby tried to pass this off as modest, I didn't believe her in the slightest.Glass stairs separated each of the three stories that divided the living area, bedroom and master bath, and the kitchen. Smaller balconies accompanied each floor that could sit a small garden for plants and herbs or a sunbathing area.The real treat, however, was the expansive open terrace where I was greeted by the scent of fresh sea salt and the sound of gentle waves. The bright overhead sun bathed my skin in its warmth, and for the first time in so long, I felt happy.Grandpa Antonio was right—I LOVE Italy!I sat my laptop down on the outdoor table, raising the accompanying umbrella since I'd intended to do a video call. Luckily, work hadn't started for me just yet, so I wanted to take this opportunity to call home and update everyone
Victor's POVMy grandfather didn't know it, but a storm was fast approaching his estate. Lightning, thunder, heavy rains, and damaging winds were ready to tear apart the legacy he'd built. Because I knew that he had to have known about Emelia leaving. There was no way he couldn't have. She was the only one on this planet he probably loved more than me.Which was enough to convince me that he knew about this all along.I sped down the highway with reckless abandon, hardly heeding to the horns that honked at me or the few sheriff's cars I'd whizzed by. I was on a mission to get answers.And I would get them—one way or another.Once we arrived, I shot Rosalie an icy glare. "You're coming inside. Either way, I'll find out you're lying to me."Rosalie nodded her head. "Y-yes sir…"I didn't even dignify my grandfather with a knock on the door as I stormed through his front doors and marched straight for his office. His butlers that would've normally greeted me, or in this case, apprehended