Chapter 4. Trust Fund

Pepper POV

From that day onwards, the sparse interaction between Victor and me became nonexistent. 

“Where are you going?” I asked him the first night he came to our room to change, but right after, he traced his way back to the door, out of the room.

“I am sleeping in the guest room.” He told me curtly with that frown that had become a constant fixture on his face as of late.

My brows arched when he left.

Guest room?

Who knows if he truly sleeps there, I thought bitterly. 

As each day went by, everything about the Gunner home became constricting. 

Emily, my sweet mother-in-law, has changed ever since that night of the party.

Every time I approached her, she would shun me and retreat, leaving me feeling helpless. 

My father-in-law was worse.

Benedict showed me, every time he got, how disgusted he was with my presence.

He would ignore me and shower Maggie and Colter with his attention.

The only one who was truly happy in our set-up was Colter, Maggie’s son. The sounds of his laughter rang out all over the house, gripping my chest tight. 

As each day passed, I felt that the house had become too small for the six of us. 

This could not go on.

I realized I have to talk to Victor.

I am his wife. His priority should be me.

But the harder I tried to enforce my position, the wider we grew apart.

“I am sorry, Pepper, but Victor is busy. He did not want to be bothered right now.” Maggie told me when I called the office for the nth time.

I figured that since I couldn't get his time at home, I might as well secure an appointment.

But it dawned on me rather ruefully that I could not even get an appointment with my husband.

I sighed, knowing full well that Maggie heard my frustration. 

“Five minutes. Would it be too much to ask?” I told her, discarding pride.

What husband would let his wife beg for even a moment of his time? 

My frustration grew hearing the fake apology in Maggie’s tone. 

"I am sorry."

When I tried to persist, she eventually dropped the call. 

On the following days, when I called the office, it was either the phone was busy or my calls wouldn’t get through. 

Pushed back in a corner, I had no recourse but to call Victor’s number several times, but I found out he blocked me.

Frustrated, disappointed, and furious at being ignored continually, I waited for him outside the car. But when he got out of the car, Colter was there to greet him. 

“Daddy Victor!  You are here! You are here!” The child would chant excitedly, climbing up on Victor’s shoulders.

The elder Gunners would be laughing at the child’s antics approvingly, and they would all retire to the dining room to eat, leaving no room even for a quick chat with my husband. 

One time, I heard Maggie reproach her son.

“Colter, your Daddy Victor is tired.” After saying the reminder, Maggie shot me a side glance, gauging my reaction. 

I tried to maintain my composure despite hearing Victor cutting Maggie off to assure her that everything is fine. 

“It’s alright. I have time for him.” 

Then, Victor also sent me a sidelong glance to allow his message to sink in. 

He has time for Colter, but not for me.

When I retired to my room, passing up on the dinner that would only make me witness how incongruously ill-fitted I am with the Gunner family, I received a call from an unknown number. 

Turns out, the caller was my rescuer, Samuel Burke. 

To thank him for saving me, I invited him to lunch the next day.

The moment I came inside the restaurant where we agreed to meet, my body froze.

In front of me walked Victor, Maggie, and Colter. They looked happy. 

“Can you buy me toys after this, Daddy Victor?” The child’s excited voice rang out all over the place.

“Of course. Anything you like.” Victor promised, sounding happy.

Several people looked their way. They were picture perfect. They looked like the perfect Gunner family.

The sight caused a constriction in my chest. 

For a while, I did not move as hesitation filled my being until I felt a nudge on my arm. 

I stared blankly at the newcomer until he introduced himself.

“I am Samuel Burke.” 

Mentioning the name of my faceless savior made me compose my facial features. I forced a smile on my face.

“Are you comfortable eating here?” He asked, noting how my glance would revert to my husband. 

He did not say anything. Except for the thinning of his lips, I never saw a reaction until he dragged me out of the stifling restaurant to lead me to another more comfortable place. 

“I hope this place is better.” He told me after we settled into a booth. 

No words passed between us, but I was sure that word had gone around and Samuel Burke must have heard my marital troubles by now. 

At least, I appreciate that he did not look at me pityingly like some others do. 

While we waited for our orders, Samuel Burke drummed his fingers on the table while I roved my eyes around the restaurant. 

“This place is nice.” Still not looking at him,  I commented to break the ice, suddenly feeling the need to fill the gap with chatter, even if it was forced. 

“I am glad you like it. This place is part of your investments.” Came the straight reply. 

I did not think I heard him right. I lifted my eyes, and our gazes locked. 

It was disconcerting to learn that he was watching me for my reaction.

He smiled when he noticed that disbelief spreading all over my face.

“Come again?” I asked, frowning. 

I thought I misheard him.

It appeared that I didn't when he repeated what he said earlier.

Without letting go of my gaze, Samuel Burke leaned back and spread his arms wide. 

“This establishment, along with the one we left earlier, belongs to a consortium where you have majority ownership.”

“Shut up!” 

I am a business graduate, and what he was telling me was mind-boggling. 

"I did not invest in anything. I.. I..." I stammered, brows furrowed in confusion as I tried to wrap my head around this news.

“How did that happen? My parents lost everything when their business went bankrupt. They did not have anything left to their name.” Then, my eyes squinted suspiciously at him. 

“Or was this part of my husband’s wealth?” 

After uttering the question, I shook my head immediately, highly doubting my own words.

I had been Victor's assistant for four years. I know his assets.

This restaurant was never mentioned in Victor's yearly financial report. 

Samuel Burke shook his head. 

“I clearly stated you, not your husband.” He told me curtly, which added to the confusion.

“And to set the record straight. Your parents set aside half of their wealth in a trust fund for you. The trust fund matured on your twenty-fifth birthday, which is today.  Congratulations, you are a very wealthy woman, Mrs. Gunner.” 

I balked at his statement.

I could not believe that given the status of my husband, other people would still try to prey on me. 

“I don’t believe you. Stop pulling my leg. And to set the record straight.” I said, trying to mimic his words. 

“I don’t have any say in my husband’s wealth. So if you are planning to con me, I am sorry. You got the wrong person.” I told him, and without waiting for his comment, I rose from my seat.

With my head held high, I left the restaurant.

Because I was appalled, angry, and confused, I did not watch where I was going until I bumped into my husband, looking highly suspicious at the sight of me.