Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Your husband has been with me

Elara's POV 

Morning came slower than it ever did. My eyes never slammed shut and every tick of the clock intensified my torture — intensified the pain inside of me. I had slept alone, even though I always did but yesterday night was different.

I slept alone while another woman was with my husband. I hated to admit it but I went to the door 2 times and all I made out was the echo of their laughter, the stories they told each other.

Stories that didn't involve me.

Sighing, I sat up and exhaled. I had to go to work or else everything was going to press on me, and besides I was Lucien's secretary, the one who arranged and scheduled everything for him.

Normally after I close from work, I start another at home, preparing him for the next day. Yet all he believed were the things he wanted to: that I was a greedy bitch who was there for his money.

“Elara!” Seraphina's voice cut in before my thoughts could sway and I sat up as her voice neared. She knocked on the door before she pushed it open, “you're awake, are you not?”

“What's it?” My voice was cold, my throat dry as I instinctively reached for my belly. It was always on instinct to protect myself from Seraphina and now I was protecting the baby inside of me.

“I had a wonderful night,” Seraphina beamed,“I just came to say thank you for letting me use your room.”

“Okay,” I murmured and her lips raised in a subtle smirk before she twirled her hair in her hands.

“You wouldn't have allowed it if Lucien hadn't said so.”

I forced a chuckle, “if not for Lucien, I wouldn't even let you breathe the same air as me.”

“You —” her eyes shone and veins ticked in her throat, “I see,” Seraphina gritted, “that's all, Elara. You should get ready, today's my induction, let's see if we get to breathe the same air.”

And with that, she turned around, leaving the room. As soon as she was out of sight, I let out a loud exhale and held my hands to my chest. How long until she finally leaves.

After I finally got to prepare, I couldn't help but rub my tummy. A life was growing inside of me. A child that I had craved for 3 years — and the father didn't know yet.

Sighing, I looked away from the mirror. I had to tell Lucien else he would go insane if he found out on his own.

When I was finally done preparing, Lucien had left with Seraphina but thankfully, my car was in good condition already. I drove myself to work and it was Seraphina's invitation that first welcomed me.

“The boss wants everyone there.”

“I have appointments to plan.”

“No excuse,” Lucien's assistant stated and I finally headed to the lounge. Warm ambient music welcomed me immediately followed by applause.

“After 2 years, Seraphina Vale got her masters and secured the position of the new Manager. Can we all say congratulations?”

I watched as Lucien handled the intro while Seraphina stood beside him, smiling widely.

“I'm truly honoured,” Seraphina turned to the crowd, “2 years of effort is finally paying off.”

Effort. Did she mean 2 years of being close to my husband? I scoffed inwardly as her eyes widened and she turned to me, “forgive my manners, I forgot to thank my sister,” she pointed at me and the noise died down.

“Elara has handled the tasks for our parent's organisation behind my back,” she sighed and shook her head, “after Mr and Mrs Vale's demise, Elara has been handling so much, you can see how rough she looks.”

“Yeah,” people murmured in unison while I bit the insides of my lips.

That's what she wanted to point out. She definitely didn't want to praise me.

“I say thank you, Elara,” Seraphina stopped a waiter and he stepped forward, “thank you,” she took two glasses of wine from the waiter, “can we cheer for more cooperation?”

Wine. I couldn't take wine— not while I was currently pregnant.

I forced a smile as all eyes turned to me while the same smirk played at the edges of Seraphina's lips. Slowly, I reached for the glass of wine, “Thank you, Elara, I appreciate the acknowledgement. You should do it often.”

Her smile dropped before she nodded, “of course. Now cheers,” she stretched her hands forward and I did the same. Just as Seraphina's glass almost reached me,the edges of her lips raised and her glass crashed into mine forcefully.

My hold around the glass loosened and the glass escaped my hold, crashing hard onto my legs, the drink spilling on my dress and my legs.

“Oh my!” Seraphina screamed and quickly reached for me, “are you okay? Did your hands shake because you're stressed? You should rest, why should you be in the office everytime?”

“I think she's just stressed.”

“Miss Ashford looks stressed.”

“Even the marriage doesn't fit her,” murmurs came from every corner and my tummy churned.

Bile rose to my throat as tears stung my eyes. Having stayed in adoption for my adolescent, I struggled and it was evident on me. Then after my marriage to Lucien which has only been full of more work.

I never had a skin like glass— and everybody found that unfit for the CEOs wife.

“Come on,” Seraphina dragged me out of my thoughts and her arms encircled my shoulders, “you should clean up.”

Every vein on me pulsed with hot blood as my jaw tightened. She intentionally made me look dumb in front of people.

I almost pulled away from her grip but I caught Lucien's eyes and I swallowed hard letting Seraphina lead me to the bathroom.

As soon as we were in, I pulled away and shot her a glare, “enough. That's enough pretense.”

She rolled her eyes and scoffed, “No. Elara. You should know I'm here to make your life a living hell,” her jaw tightened and she inched closer to me.

“We should have a conversation, don't you think? How has it been going? Has it been easy for you to keep my seat warm?”

My throat hitched and my hands shook by my sides but I forced the words, “you mean my place?”

“Ohh, don't be delusional,” Seraphina rolled her eyes, “Lucien belongs to me, that his pathetic grandfather made you his wife is nothing,” she exhaled, “so tell me, how has it been.”

“Stay away,” my voice shook, “stay away Sera.”

“What? Until I let you know? Lucien wants me too. He only got married to you because of the old man,” she shook her head, “2 years abroad, Elara, and Lucien has visited more than 8 times. What do you think that means?”

My mouth opened but words failed me as Seraphina bent down, her eyes shining with amusement.

“Your husband has been fucking me, Elara.”