Chapter 4

Chapter 4

I'm here to take what's mine 

Elara's POV 

The words reverberated in my head and my stance faltered as I grabbed the sink for support. Fucking him. What did she mean by that?

Was it really true? Was Lucien really having an affair?

My mind replayed every month when Seraphina was overseas. How Lucien would cut every communication with me short once he goes abroad. That means… for those weeks, he has been with her?

The realization was like a cut into my heart. My chest ached and I held onto it as I grabbed, failing to believe, “it can't be.”

Lucien was a man of honour. He hated me but I thought he had self control. I knew he hated our marriage and I always thought he would come around but to the extent of defiling our marriage?

“Why are you so shocked,” Seraphina gasped dramatically, “I know you've been Lucien's puppet for years but come on Elira, you didn't know?”

“You think all the care he has shown me was just plain care. Oh,” Seraphina shook her head, “are you really just dumb, Elara or childhood trauma caused all this?”

“It's a lie,” my voice was strained, an audio representation of what I felt inside, “it's not true, I don't believe this.”

“I didn't cause this,” Seraphina ran her hand around me to demonstrate the spilling of the wine, “to convince you or any sort. I brought you here to inform you,” she stepped closer and grabbed my jaw.

“I'm here to take back what belonged to me, every position that was mine. I'm here for it,” she looked to the door, “so enjoy the night with your husband, my wonderful sister because after this, I bet you would become invisible.”

“As I would,” she smiled and stepped back, “take back every position that was meant to be mine. You've taken my life for a while.”

“No,” I shook my head repeatedly, “you stole my life, Elara,” my voice quivered, “you took everything that was supposed to be mine!”

“No. It already belonged to me,” Seraphina's jaw tightened, “you should have just stayed hidden!”

“But it's okay, you'd stay hidden after you witness what you should, Elara,” Seraphina smiled and reached for the tap. Sizzling water on her hands, she then wiped them off, flashed me a smile and walked out.

Immediately, my tears spilled, running down my face as I wept. She was so cruel and blunt with it. I sniffed as more tears rolled down at the betrayal of Lucien. He has been going to the states for her. Every trip of his I planned as his secretary was so he could stay with her.

No wonder his trips would get longer.

“It's hard to meet the CEOs,” Lucien would give different excuses.

But he has been fucking my sister all along. To add to my torture, my mind pictured a vivid image of how they could have been together and I burst into another round of tears.

Crying, I reached for my tummy. I was thinking I'd inform him about the pregnancy today but did I really want such a man to know that I was carrying his child?

Did I really want to carry the child of such a man?

The question hung heavy in my throat before I washed my face. If I was gone from the celebration for too long, the office would question me so I headed out.

As soon as I neared the lounge, I heard the applause and I fastened my steps. As I got in, my eyes landed on the stage to see one of Lucien's guards holding a box while Lucien stood on the stage, and Seraphina by his side.

“I'm losing my mind to so much happiness,” Seraphina beamed on the stage as Lucien opened the box.

“I overheard our Manager wanting a necklace like this and as I was impressed with her performance, I decided to give it to her.” He reached for the necklace.

“Tonight, this gift is for Seraphina. The lillie's necklace!”

A gasp escaped my mouth immediately, echoing with the crowds’. The Lillie's. There were only 3 of them. And it was the same necklace that we went to the auction together. I said I liked it and Lucien got it. I thought… that was going to be his anniversary gift to me.

But it was for Seraphina? He got it because he knew she was going to like it?

A tear rolled down as my insides heated up and I watched Lucien reach behind Seraphina. “Kindly let me put this on you.”

She pulled her hair forward as Lucien wrapped the necklace around her neck, a rather top slow action with the largest smile ever plastered on his smile and I hated to admit it but I saw it at that moment.

The tension between the two of them. They really have been sleeping together.

“Thank you, CEO,” Seraphina bowed as she traced the necklace design, “I'm flattered to be honoured this much in front of my colleagues. I appreciate everyone for celebrating me,” Seraphina smiled before her eyes rested on me.

“Mrs Ashford, help me say thank you to your husband.”

I nodded plainly as Seraphina and Lucien finally got off the stage, each beaming. They settled beside each other, sipping their drink while I stood, clutching to my tummy like an outcast as everyone merried.

And I hated that it was that way— because that has always haunted me since childhood.

“A toast to Miss Seraphina's role!” Lucien screamed and jammed glasses with Seraphina and it didn't take long before everyone began to get drunk.

I settled on the nearest seat and watched the life that lay ahead of me. The same lonely life when the voice jerked into my thoughts.

“Come on, we need to get Lucien home.”

“Then do.”

“Elara,” Seraphina gritted and looked at the drunk Lucien, “you clearly see the state that he's in.”

I shrugged, “that's why he has guards.”

“You—” Seraphina's fist tightened before she went to get Lucien's guards. They got him to the car and I watched as they left. I got into my car also, and headed home. At the living room, I walked on Seraphina unbuttoning Lucien's shirt.

“What are you doing?”

“Easing him off the tension,” Seraphina smiled, “don't worry, this night he's all yours.” She helped Lucien up and dragged him to the bedroom.

“You have your bedroom tonight,” Seraphina winked and walked off while I leaned down to watch Lucien. Where did I get it all wrong? How was I blind to the kind of man he was?

How did I put up with him for 3 years?

“Seraphina,” Lucien called and dragged me to the bed. He wrapped his arms around me murmuring, “don't leave my love,” and I hated that my body stayed still.

Even though I knew that love wasn't for me.