prepare breakfast

I woke up to prepare breakfast for Austin as normal.

After last night, I made up my mind to walk away but not without hitting him where it hurts the most.

I have to act like his dutiful wife, like his glorified nanny because that's what I am, a woman who only deserves to be a mistress.

Austin came back late smelling clean. Of course he would erase any evidence of him being with another woman.

As he held me to sleep, I didn't feel that familiar content I felt before.

All I could think about was that those hands had held a different woman not long ago.

I fought so hard not to cringe or throw up from disgust.

I cooked our usual breakfast and spread the table like everything was okay, like we were still the happily married couple from yesterday morning.

At around seven, Austin walked into the kitchen, freshly showered and his tie undone.

He walked to me, kissed my cheeks like a loving husband and wrapped his hands around me.

“ You woke up early today.” He commented, his deep breath fanning my neck.

I used to love it when he did that before. Now, I was fighting not to push him away.

I forced a smile on my face.

“ Someone has to wake up early and run this house.” I replied.

Truth was, I could not bear to speed another minute sleeping besides him.

“ I'm sorry for missing our anniversary. I'll make it up to you.” He said, stepping back and pulling something from his pockets.

He passed a small box to me.

“ I got you an anniversary gift.” Austin announced with a smile.

I received it and opened it, not having much hope about it.

It was always the same gift every anniversary; a necklace and a pair of matching earrings.

My heart squeezed when I saw what was inside– a pair of gold earrings.

I stared at them and recognised them immediately.

Yesterday, Sally had posted a picture on her social media. 

It was a diamond necklace with her fingers curled around it proudly.

“A love token for three years of commitment.” That's what the caption read.

These earrings were the matching set.

He bought her a necklace and brought me the extras?

"They are beautiful but not really my type." I closed the box slowly and passed it back to him.

Austin blinked. "You don't like them?" He asked, like he wasn't expecting me to turn them down.

"I appreciate the thought but I'd rather have something I actually love." I said then turned back to the kitchen counter.

What did he take me for?

Was he handing me leftovers and expecting me to be grateful?

Austin was quiet for a moment then let out a small laugh that sounded all shades embarrassed.

"You're right. It was a mistake on my side. I'm sorry." He set the box down. "There's an auction this weekend. I will take you there and you can choose whatever you like.” He said.

That was it? Throw some cash and expect me to be placated? Was that the impression I gave him over the years?

I didn't let it bother me so I nodded and said nothing.

He loosened his tie and sat at the table, watching me plate his breakfast.

"I have a business dinner later tk sign a company.” Austin informed me.

I paused momentarily, wondering why he was telling me. He never disclosed such things with me after I stepped down to become his exclusive house wife.

Now, it seems like I even sacrificed that for nothing.

“ Which company?” I asked, not quite interested but needed to push the conversation.

“Pearl Jewels.” He replied.

I paused again. Wasn't that the company I started before joining college? It's one of the family subsidiary companies.

“ I have been working on the partnership for days. I finalised it last night.” Austin added.

So he was using that as a scapegoat for his infidelity?

" Do you want me to come with you?" I asked even when I knew the answer.

Austin smiled at me and I prepared myself for the obvious denial. 

" I was about to ask you if you'd want to join me." Austin replied with a smile.

I was shocked.

After I stepped down from the company, he never allowed me to get involved in anything related to the company.

" We could use some time together since this project held me up and I missed our anniversary." He declared.

" Besides, for some reasons, they stated that you should be present for the signing." He added.

The realisation dawned at me. Austin wasn't after spending time with me as he had put it earlier. It's all because he needed me to secure the project.

I smiled pleasantly, hiding my fury.

“ Of course.”

After breakfast, I excused myself to my study while Austin got ready.

The gift box I had prepared for him sat on the table, glaring at me as if mocking me.

I grabbed it and threw it in the dustbin.

Then I opened my safe and retrieved some documents.

The files sat where I had left it three years ago. My name was printed clearly on them as a co-founder and shareholder of Cox Enterprises.

I held it and laughed softly to myself.

The irony was almost poetic. Austin once said I didn't need them, that what was his was mine too.

Without them now, my hard work over the years would have gone down the drain.

Twenty minutes later, we left the house and headed to the venue.

Pearl Jewels had sent three representatives and they were already seated when we arrived.

The man at the centre stood when he saw us walk in and I recognised him immediately.

Marcel was the person in charge of Pearl jewels, directly appointed by my grandfather.

His eyes landed on me and stopped.

"Mr. Cox, welcome." He extended a hand to Austin then turned to me.

"Miss Grayson…” He started but I cut him off before he could finish.

"I'm afraid you have the wrong person." I smiled pleasantly. "I'm Leslie Cox. Austin's wife."

He looked confused momentarily before catching the radar.

"Of course." Marcel recovered smoothly. "My apologies Mrs. Cox."

Austin chuckled beside me, sliding his hand to the small of my back.

"It's okay to mistake someone for another. My wife is an orphan though, she doesn't have a family.”

Marcel looked at me and I looked back at him, perfectly composed.

"Shall we sit?" I suggested.