MasukAdrian’s POV I made a decision this morning the moment I opened my eyes: I was going to start acting like a husband. Not just for appearances, not just to maintain the Delacroix image, no, I wanted to care for Ruth and I needed to watch her.I don’t have proof yet not enough to confront either of them but I’m not blind. I’ve seen the glances that linger too long, the way footsteps retreat when I enter a room. I can’t even blame her entirely. I opened the door for Damian. I brought him into our home. Into her life, I'm the reason she's cheating on me.When Ruth fled to the bathroom, I stayed outside long enough to hear the sink running, to know she was trying to erase whatever she was feeling. I brought her upstairs and held her because the guilt in her eyes was confirmation enough.But when I returned to the dining room, Damian was gone. His chair sat slightly pulled back, the newspaper abandoned in the seat. I didn’t need to wonder where he’d gone I could trace his path through wall
Song recommended for this chapter: Dynasty by MiiaRuth’s POVMy legs felt unsteady as I climbed the stairs, each step threatening to buckle beneath the weight of what I’d just done. My hands wouldn’t stop shaking. When I reached the bedroom, Adrian was standing by the wardrobe, flipping through shirts, already changed into his sleepwear. He glanced toward me, his brows folding just slightly, suspicion flickering behind his eyes but, as usual, he said nothing.I didn’t trust my voice, so I hurried into the bathroom, closing the door before he could ask where I’d been. The mirror caught my reflection, flushed cheeks, wild eyes, lips swollen from Damian’s mouth minutes ago. My pulse drummed in my ears as I stripped and stepped under the shower. The water was cold, biting into my skin, but maybe I needed to feel that sting.I scrubbed myself fast, as if the water could wash away the guilt lodged in my chest. When I emerged, wrapped in a towel and breathing unevenly, Adrian was already in
Ruth’s POVAdrian and I had a dinner date today. Truthfully, all I wanted was to stay buried beneath my sheets, hidden from the world, letting exhaustion cradle me until sleep pulled me under again. But my wants had never mattered, not in this marriage, and certainly not when Adrian demanded appearances. So I forced myself out of bed, painted my face with makeup, and slipped into the red dress I had chosen.It was simple yet elegant, tight enough to hug the curve of my breasts and stomach, flowing free from the waist down so it swayed with each step. The neckline pushed my breasts upward, subtle but intentional, because Adrian valued presentation. I paired it with a gold watch, a delicate chain resting on my collarbone, and matching gold shoes with a small clutch bag. The mirror showed a woman perfectly put together, but inside I still felt hollow.The car ride to the restaurant was quiet. Not hostile, just the kind of silence that presses in but doesn’t suffocate. Peaceful, even, whic
Adrian's POVI know I said a lot of times that I was having a child because of my perfect social image but I secretly do because I wanted to. I want a happy family, I want kids running around the house and breaking stuff. So hearing Ruth say I don't genuinely want a child broke something in me. "You said so yourself many times Adrian, you made me understand that you only wanted a child because the public asked for one." She said.I shook my head and walked away from both of them. I didn't know what else to say plus I have an important meeting today. I'd rather go to that than listen to her talk rubbish. I got ready for work and left.When I arrived at work, I had to push my cold behavior away because I had an image to uphold and being cold to my employees isn't something I'd do in public."Good morning Mr Delacroix." One of my employees said she went as far as shaking hands with me. I had no choice but to shake her hand and smile but I clearly didn't want to do that.When I reached m
Ruth's POV Damian drove us back home after I had taken a bath. Adrian was pacing the length of the living room when we walked in."What the hell? Why are you just coming home now?" Adrian asked the moment we walked in."Ruth wasn't fine so I had to take her somewhere to cool off." Damian replied."As what? Your role in my wife's life is to make sure she gets pregnant, not take her out when she isn't feeling fine. And what happened to your phone? A simple call would have eased the tension I was feeling." Adrian retorted.I walked out on him, I am too tired to stand and listen to him rant, I've done what he wanted me to do today and that's enough, I need sleep.The harsh sound of the door closing behind me with force stopped me in my tracks. Could this be it? Is he going to hit me?"From today henceforth you are going to tell me where you are going to, who you are hanging out with and when you'll be coming back." Adrian said.His words made me laugh, I laughed so hard my stomach hurt.
Ruth's POV Weeks have passed by, I have accepted my faith. Damian had stuck to what Adrian asked for. He comes to the house twice a week and makes love to me. He no longer handled me roughly like he did before and my body was craving that side of him, that side Adrian had refused.Today Damian and I are attending an event together, normally I'm supposed to be here with Adrian but he didn't feel like leaving the house today and pretended to be in love with me so he sent his brother instead.We both stood in front of the camera smiling like a happy couple, nobody suspected a thing and Damian played his role as Adrian too well, far too well that it didn't sit right with me.But even though he played Adrian's role perfectly, he couldn't hide the way he looked at me. A man asked me to dance with him and accepted out of politeness.We were dancing to the slow sounds coming from the speaker, it was a simple and innocent dance however I could feel Damian's gaze burning my back. I glanced at







