VICTORIA’S POV
While sipping my blue pea tea, I stared at the night sky. Though I wasn’t much of a tea lover, it had a unique flavor, something learned from someone special in the past.
My hand fell to my stomach, stroking and caressing. How I wished things were different. I wanted to be with Alessandro, especially through the pregnancy. But I couldn’t.
I had given him three years. Most people even grew to care for animals they didn’t like if they lived with them that long. But I had been his wife, and he had never grown to care for me. I didn’t know how he would react after hearing about the baby. But I didn’t care anymore, not for him or his arrogant family.
This child was mine, and I was its mother, end of discussion.
“Penny, for your thoughts?” Antonio’s deep voice caught my attention. I peered at him in the porch entrance, leaning against the door with his brow raised. My, he looked handsome. And he was incredibly understanding. The woman who landed him would be awfully lucky.
I smiled, shaking my head. “Nothing. Just this and that.”
He sighed, not hiding his concern, then joined me inside, sitting on the sofa. “I only have one sister, and I always want your happiness, even over mine. I know leaving Alessandro isn’t easy, but I hope you stand your ground.”
“Don’t worry, Ant. I’ve had enough of him,” I replied truthfully. “So? How is everything?” I asked, feeling we needed to catch up. It had been a while since I had last spoken to my brother on a regular basis.
Antonio smiled, taking a cup of tea from the tray next to me. “Fine. E. Shine is holding a jewelry lunch function tomorrow.” He paused and then said, “Alessandro has been invited.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “It doesn’t matter to me anymore,” I said with a dismissive wave. “So? Found a date for the day?”
“Not yet,” he said, scratching his neck, looking uncomfortable. “Why don’t you come back to the company as a jewelry designer?”
I blinked and eyed him, my gaze questioning his obvious dodge. But I supposed he had his reasons, and I didn’t want to press him. So I just went along with the change in topic. “I haven’t done jewelry design for years,” I said, feeling hesitant about the prospect.
“Don’t be silly. You’ve always been a talented designer. Besides, the company isn’t mine alone. It’s yours too. Make a name for yourself, Victoria. Make your mark.”
I nodded. “Maybe you’re right. But... let’s not announce my identity to the public. Not yet. I want to live a simple life for a little while.”
Antonio chuckled and said, “People die for fame, and you run away from it.”
I shrugged.
“Guess your married name has at least one benefit—no one will find out.” He winked, and I laughed.
****
ALESSANDRO’S POV
On the evening of E. Shine’s jewelry launch, I donned a black tie with silver lining, matching my suit. I couldn’t help but think of Victoria as I added the black stone cufflinks while wishing I didn’t have to attend. But being a public figure often required attending parties and events, whether or not I liked it.
At least I admired the owner, Antonio Edwards, though we weren’t friends. But he was about my age and a successful heir of the company, and I respected that.
Once I finished getting ready, I strode down to the hall with one minor concern. I had no female companion for the evening, and it was unseemly for a man of my stature to attend such a party alone. But what could I do? It wasn’t like I could ask Victoria or produce a date out of thin air.
Then, as I entered the foyer, still fiddling with my cufflinks, the sound of a lady’s high heels clicking on the floor caught my attention. I looked up and saw Camilla walking through the door in a silver dress with a split in the side from her thigh down. Why did it appear that she was aware of the function? And that she intended to join me? I frowned.
With a sultry smile, she said, “I heard you need a female companion this evening. Is there anyone better than me?” She posed with a hand on her waist.
My eyes dragged over her body, and I had to admit she was attractive, even sexy. Still, she was no match for Victoria.
Ugh. How was it that Victoria was still lingering in my head?
I needed to focus on the present, so I forced my attention back to Camilla. But she irked me. Victoria’s decision to leave me had prompted Camilla to increase her attempts to impose herself on me, and I didn’t like it. So I said, “Don’t you remember what I said to you last time?”
Shamelessly, she stepped forward, closing the distance between us as she spoke. “But Alessandro, even if you don’t love me anymore, you can’t forget who rescued you from the forest years ago.” Her fingers gripped my collar, pulling me toward her. “Don’t you dare forget who saved your life, Devonte.”
How had I never realized she put a wedge between Victoria and me. When I thought about the past, it was always her keeping me away from Victoria, using that one deed, holding it over me. My jaw tightened at those thoughts, and I said, “Stay away,” removing her hands from my collar and pushing her away. I wanted to say more, but Calvin entered the hall.
“The car is ready, sir,” he said.
Without hesitating, I strode out of the hall, leaving the mansion.
Camilla’s heels clicked loudly behind me. “Walk slower. Wait for me,” she called.
Ignoring her, I made my way to the car and slid inside.
Calvin peered at me while holding the door. Then he lowered his voice and said, “Miss Camilla saved your life, and you’ve been treating her poorly recently.”
Treating her poorly? My eyes widened for a moment, then I glared at him. It was Camilla who was the source of my confusion. “Shut up,” I snapped. “Why are you talking so much today?”
Camilla reached the car. I couldn’t very well tell her to get lost, so I said nothing when Calvin held the door for her to get inside.
Just this once, I promised myself. There would be no Camilla after that evening.
ALESSANDRO’S POVThe limousine stopped in front of one of the old convention halls in New York. Stepping out of the car, I stood straight. Camilla slipped out after me and latched onto my arm. I held back a growl of frustration, wishing it was just beside me instead.It felt as though things were so out of control. But I would find a way to make it right soon. I just had to get through that night, and everything would be fine. With long strides, I headed for the entrance.“Why are you in a rush, Al?” Camilla asked, sounding all too innocent, making me wonder how I hadn’t seen through her before. “Just follow me silently if you don’t want to go back home,” I said, coldly, keeping my eyes on the entrance. I didn’t hear any words from her, just a faded disappointed grunt.After checking in, we went inside to our table in the VIP section. As I turned to take my seat, I stopped short. Victoria was there in a red party dress with her shoulder-length hair combed back and bright red lips tha
He walked in handsomely, drawing a crowd of female guests’ attention. Well, I am used to that part, too, though.However, my brows furrowed the moment he walked directly to Victoria’s table. I swear, there was no doubt in his steps, and he sat next to her... Closely even!Victoria smiled brightly at him as if they had known each other for years. Antonio held her hand, dropping a kiss on her knuckle and kept holding it!Dude! Let the hand go! You are holding someone else’s wife’s hand! I thought angrily.What the bloody fuck is happening!? Well, it’s not only me, but everyone in the room is surprised!No one has ever seen Antonio Edwards with a woman or heard rumors. And when people see him with a lady, that is, my freaking wife!And I don’t understand how on earth Victoria knows this man! The famous Antonio Edwards and the non-famous Victoria!When did they even meet!? Her world kept roaming around me for three years; wherever she went, she was with me! Then how!?Every eye was on the
VICTORIA POVToday Iattended a business function independently for the first time in my life.Before, I used to go with Alessandro but not anymore.He isout of my life, and I have become more confident and independent in every way.I’ve learned that love alone isn’t enough to keep a relationship going;admiration and respect are also essential.Istarted my career in E.Shine.[G1] Corpwith Antonio’s support and attended my first business appearance as his VIPguest.A bitnervous, but it’s alright. I have come back to my real self. No more oiling toothers.I evenfaced my ex-husband and his favorite woman. Well, you know “who.” She even madea scene in public, and I only replied with a smile at her.To betruthful, I don’t really care about them anymore. When I watched Alessandrowith Camilla, I wasn’t that affected much. And because of her attitude, I felta little aggrieved for Alessandro. He really chose to be with a woman who didnot care about his reputation before the public.
VICTORIA POV“So?You have made the final decision?” Antonio asked, sipping his morning coffee.Ichewed the sausage in my mouth and gulped it before answering him. “Yes, I havedecided,” I said, sighing and caressing my belly. “I don’t want my child togrow up in a toxic place like Devonte’s mansion, nor want this innocent childto face that same cruel fate as mine like... before.”A heavylump in my throat turned into a drastic sound of anger and emotional damage.I felta light touch in my hand, and when I looked up, I met deep blue worried eyes,recalling me of our father.I shookmy head, smiling sadly. “Don’t worry; I have learned to accept the truth, Ant.Those three years in that family grew me up and taught me self-love andrespect, which I did not care about before,” I said as I held his hand inassurance before caressing my belly once again.“Thischild right here will grow up with a confident and loving mother. I promise...”I gulped the heavy lump away. “No more weak and e
VICTORIA POVI satbeside Alessandro all the way to the hospital. He was lying like a lifelessbody with an oxygen mask on his face. I was very anxious as we were going tothe hospital in the ambulance.Themale nurse beside me kept him in check and assured me everything would be fine.But, my worries are not taking a name for leaving.I am soscared. All cruel memories of the past kept roaming in my head as tears slippedthrough my eyes.All Icould hope was that nothing serious happened to him. Because if anything goeswrong, I can never forgive myself.Soon,we reached the hospital, which seemed like forever to me. The medical staffswere faster as they immediately set up a stretcher and took him inside.Ifollowed them.Thedoctor checked him on the spot and decided that he needed an operationimmediately.While Iwatched the nurses and other doctors taking him inside, the main doctor stoppedme, following them.“Mrs.Devonte, there is a procedure you need to sign.”Hiswords stopp
VICTORIA POVThefeeling of once again getting close to him was a kind of strange nauseous tome. I don’t think I can handle that. Moreover, there are lots of willing peopleto take care of him.I wasabout to deny the proposal, but aunt Gina beat me to it. “Mrs. Devonte?” Hereyes narrowed at me in suspicion. “Didn’t you just say you were divorced a fewago? How come you are still Mrs. Devonte?”Ialmost rolled my eyes at her but controlled myself. I don’t want to create anyscene in the hospital and remain calm as much as possible.“Yes,we are divorced, and that happened just this morning. Unfortunately, the doctordidn’t know it; at that time, it was impossible to describe all of it. Try tounderstand the situation.” I replied as the doctor stared at me, a little takenaback.“Wait!”Gina widened her eyes like a hypocrite. “Did you just sign the formal papers inthe hospital? How are you doing that!? You are not a family anymore!”Ireally can’t believe this woman. She is still ca
ALESSANDRO POV“Hey...Wake up, please!” A desperate tone rang in my head. I opened my eyes only to begreeted by darkness.I couldsense myself but could see nothing.Wheream I? The last thing I remember, I was in the Government office for divorce.Victoria was waiting for me when I arrived there.I onlysaw coldness and no regret in those green eyes. She turned into a wholedifferent person since she left me. She was sarcastic about my late arrival.Did shenot get it? I don’t want to divorce her! I was late, wilfully, hoping she wouldchange her mind, which never happened.She wasso desperate to get rid of me. Is she so tired of me? Was I that irritating tobe with? I wanted to ask, but I didn’t.When wewere sitting before the divorce officer, and he was asking questions, she didnot hesitate to reply once. She knew what she was doing. It seemed I had nevermet this Victoria before.She wasso desperate to leave that she didn’t bother about the divorce price. In otherwords, ever
VICTORIA POV“ALESSANDRO!!!”Thehigh-pitched tone caught me off guard. Fuck! What is this bitch doing here now?Cursingher and my fate equally, I quickly got away from my ex-husband. I turned aroundto see the person.And Iwas right! Camilla enters the room with an anxious look on her face.Shesprinted to the bed, completely ignoring my presence, or maybe she was tooperturbed not to notice me. Either way, she is a real drama queen.Mythoughts broke with her next words. “Why didn’t you call me!? I could havestayed beside you!” She is now hovering on top of him.Alessandrofrowned and unexpectedly moved a little to my side. “Why are you here?”Heinquired because he was becoming increasingly irritated by her presence. I don’tunderstand this man anymore. He suddenly kissed me and now behaving differentlytoward Camilla.Ilooked at Camilla, who was not ready to give up, and leaned more toward him.“Come on, Al. Let me see your wound.”I amvery much embarrassed between these two.