CHAPTER THREE

My breath hitched as I stared at the honey-skinned, brunette, tall woman before me. I gulped hard and dropped my head, feeling intimidated by her presence. I had seen her countless times on the screen, yet Jaden refused to tell me that she was his ex-wife. That explained why his expression always changed whenever she appeared in a movie.

“It’s nice to meet you,” she muttered and extended her hand for a shake.

I stared at her hand and the expensive wristwatch strapped around her wrist. 

“Nice to meet you,” I replied and reluctantly wrapped my hand in hers. Her pink lips stretched into a wide smile as she stared confidently into my eyes.

There were lots of similarities between us, from the color of our eyes to the structure of our faces and bodies. I felt upset when the thought of Jaden marrying me for resembling his ex-wife hit me. He wouldn't dare do that. He loved me.

I looked at him and found his blank eyes on me.

“I brought her to see David,” he quickly rasped out before I could even throw a question. I forced a smile on my face and nodded even though I was burning with anger.

“I have to get going, I have a shoot by 11,” she said, clutching her bag.

“I will drop you!” Jaden said and grabbed her hand. I frowned in anger, glaring at him. 

“David? Daddy will see you at home, hmm?” he whispered, and David quickly nodded, grinning widely.

Jaden turned towards me and kissed my forehead, then stepped back, a smile on his face. The kiss felt colder than the last one he gave me. I wondered what he was up to.

“I won't be coming home tonight, I have to be with David,” I said, and he nodded.

“I sent Betty to Mother’s place. I won't be coming home either, so send the maids on leave,” he said.

“Thank you so much for taking care of the children, Mel. I promise to repay you,” Erica said, rubbing my arm.

I looked at her honey-skinned hand, then at mine. Even though we had the same skin tone, she looked fresher and younger than I, even though she was older in age.

“They are my children as well,” I replied. The smile on her face fell, and she straightened up, forcing herself to nod in agreement.

“Yes, you are right,” she said, forcing a chuckle at the end of her words.

I forced a smile onto my face as well and spun around to face David. Looking at both of them angered me, even though nothing was going on between them.

When the door of the ward slammed shut, I let out a breath and narrowed my eyes in anger.

“You don't have to stay here, I am fine by myself,” David muttered, and my brows raised.

“No, don't worry, I'll always be here for you,” I responded, forcing a smile on my face.

David frowned deeply and grumbled in annoyance before turning his back to me.

I sighed and leaned into the chair, my heavy eyelids threatening to snap shut.

My phone vibrated, indicating an incoming message. I picked up my phone and tapped the message that flashed across my screen.

My heart dropped into the pit of my belly as I stared at the photo that was sent to me by an anonymous number. Right there was the same wristwatch Jaden’s ex-wife was wearing. The watch was a limited edition with only one available in the country.

My heart broke as I stared at the transaction receipt under the picture. Jaden was the one who bought that watch for her.

It was hard to believe that nothing was going on between them anymore. From the hug to the strange interactions and now this.

I sent a message to the number questioning its source, but to my surprise, the number had blocked me.

I huffed loudly, rage burning in me. I stood up from the chair and leaned towards David, my legs shaking with rage.

“Hey, David, I will be back,” I whispered and kissed his shoulder. 

I spun around and rushed out of the ward.

Whoever sent those photos to me wanted to expose the relationship between them. Or could it be that it was just a friendly gift? That was absurd. Why would he give his ex-wife such gifts? I couldn't even remember the last time Jaden got me a valuable gift aside from fake roses that wouldn't last up to a week. Maybe the receipt was fake. Erica was a celebrity, it was easier for her to get her hands on such limited products. What if this was all staged by my family to ruin our marriage? I had seen Erica countless times at fashion events wearing dresses designed by my father’s company. I'm sure it was him. This wasn't the first time my father had tried to end my marriage with Jaden, but it would certainly be the last.

“Mrs Oscar?” 

My feet froze as someone called me from behind. Why was I finding it strange hearing someone call me by that surname?

I spun around and forced a smile into my tired face, trying so hard to show off a happiness that I barely had.

“Yes?” I tilted my head to the side, my eyebrows raising in question.

“Have you had anything to eat? You've been here since last night,” the doctor asked, peering at me through his spectacles.

“I will grab a cup of coffee outside,” I responded. 

“You deserve a healthy breakfast now that David is okay,” he muttered. 

I chuckled and turned around to walk away.

“I thought you would wear it,” he suddenly said, and I turned.

“Wear what?” I asked.

“The wristwatch, didn't he buy it for your wedding anniversary?” he said, staring at my wrist.

My throat ran dry and I looked at my bare wrist. So it was true, Jaden was the one who bought the wristwatch.

I needed no more doubts or proof. The receipt wasn't fabricated, and this was real. He had bought that watch and gifted it to another woman on our anniversary. 

The words of my mother-in-law a few months ago hit me, and my belly churned. She had mentioned the date of our wedding anniversary, but the woman she named wasn't me. It was Erica, which was why that name sounded familiar. Erica and Jaden had gotten married the same day that we got married.

He made me live in the shadow of his ex-wife all this time. The clothes he made me wear, the way I talked, and our striking similarity in everything.

He didn't see me when we met, he saw his ex-wife, Erica.

 I jerked up my head, not minding the tears that were beginning to gather in my eyes.

“Is it possible to get David discharged tonight?” I asked.

“Yes.”

“His nanny will come around to take him,” I muttered and spun around, rushing out of the hospital. I flagged down a cab and called Mrs Rosalia.

“Is my husband at home?” I asked.

“Yes, but I am not at home at the moment. The boss sent us on leave since the children aren't home. How is David doing? I heard you won't be coming home tonight,” she replied.

I sighed and cursed in a low tone, brushing my disarrayed hair back.

“Can you help me pick up David from the hospital later? I’m not feeling too well, so I changed my mind about letting us spend the night,” I muttered.

“Yes, ma'am.”

The call ended, and I dropped my head on the headboard, the tears tickling out from the side of my eye. I hoped it wasn't true, I prayed earnestly that it turned out to be one of my father’s mischiefs.

I got out of the car and paid the driver when he stopped in front of the house, then walked in with a heart thumping loudly. I was so lost in thought that I didn't acknowledge the greetings of the security guard. I made my way quickly to the building and pushed the door open.

Silence hit me the moment I walked in. I shuffled cautiously across the large, empty living room and ascended the stairs.

The moment I stepped into the corridor, the silence drifted away and the sound of moans filled the air. I stopped on my tracks and my legs began to wobble under me.

I wanted to rush forward and pull the door open, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

Pain, fear, and awe filled my heart and slowed its beat.

Jaden was cheating on me? With someone he left?