Chapter 5

Chapter 5

He really is cheating 

Elara's POV 

I ran the brush through my hair as I looked into the mirror when I heard the exhale. Through the mirror, I watched Lucien stand. The alcohol did take him out for a long period.

He headed to the bathroom immediately and stepped back into the room. As he passed, he paused in his steps and turned to me, “no acknowledgement?”

“Acknowledgement goes both ways, Lucien. You should acknowledge me also.”

His nose flared and I watched him scowl, “still up with an attitude?”

I didn't reply and Lucien rolled his eyes until he was standing in front of the mirror so I could stare at him, “is this about Seraphina again? How often should I tell you, Elara, not to be jealous of your sister.”

“Jealous,” the words surprisingly felt light on my mouth. “Of course not, Lucien. I'm just wondering what held me up for 3 years staying with someone that couldn't acknowledge me but could do the same for my sister,” I looked to the bed.

“I couldn't even sleep properly, Lucien. I was scared I was sleeping by a monster.”

“Watch your words.”

“Yeah, right,” I nodded, pushing back every emotion as my voice almost faltered, “did you know it was our third anniversary, Lucien?”

Lucien's gaze fell for a split second before he nodded, “so your attitude was about that. You know I didn't want this marriage so of course I didn't remember that,” he stepped away from the mirror, “I'll make that up to you I guess.”

“No need,” I muttered and continued brushing my hair and Lucien almost stepped away before he stopped.

“Still you should never be jealous of your sister, Elara. She's the reason I'm alive and she's someone I've known for a while.”

Reason he's alive— reason he's always stabilised. But he didn't know the truth and I wasn't telling him. Because love wasn't supposed to come on conditions. It was supposed to be given freely.

“I'll leave for work now,” I grabbed my things and walked out and just at the door, I heard Lucien's loud exhale. In the living room, I found Seraphina.

“Oh my god, I thought you had left. How was your night, Elara?”

“I'm betting it would have been better if I didn't know you were sharing this roof with me.”

Her lips curled into an amused smile and she shrugged, “I guess you would have to deal with it. Remember last night.”

My blood ran cold as Seraphina's words replayed. She was here to take back what belonged to her. Soon, I wouldn't stand a chance with Lucien.

But was the pain going to worsen because for all I know, the pain has always been there.

“Okay,” without waiting for another reply, I walked out. I headed to the doctor first and did a check up before I headed to work. Each minute at work served as an escape from the life I didn't want to live.

When I finished through the day, exhaustion was pulling at my ribs and I knew sooner than later for the sake of my baby, I'd have to reduce my work.

That means… Lucien would know about it and it means I have to tell him until he does. But I couldn't go on, not with what Seraphina revealed yesterday.

At that, a thought formed in my mind. I was confronting him and facing all of this.

I packed up and headed to his office immediately but his assistant was waiting. “Mr Ashford is not in his office.”

I raised a brow. I was the secretary which means I was supposed to know his schedule. “What do you mean?”

“ahe headed out with the manager to meet a client.”

“Oh,” I murmured before I froze. The manager. That was Seraphina. My eyes widened and my heart pounded immediately. He was out with Seraphina. To meet what client? Without taking the normal route? Without informing me, his secretary?

“Do you know where they went?”

“Deluxe hotel.”

That hotel. I knew it too well. It was Lucien's favourite suite to meet with clients and he would go there often to rest. I used to do the bookings and he would always take one of the VIP rooms.

I was about to head out when I decided to make enquiries and with the office telecom, I had gotten the information I needed. Lucien had in fact booked a room.

My throat tightened as I stared at the laptop. With Seraphina? Was she already doing what she said she would do? Was she here to win him?

Still I headed to the hotel, the sharp pain like a rod pierced into my heart. My heart raced and sweat coated my skin but it did little to dissipate the heat inside of me. I was about to find out— to see if it's true.

To see if Seraphina was really telling the truth.

I headed to the room number and my heels clicked heavily on the floor and just as I reached the door, my fear came through as the voices bloomed in my ears.

“This is comfortable, Lucien.”

My sister. She's really with him.

“This is not the time,” I heard Lucien's ragged voice, “I need to be inside of you.”

A gasp ran out of my lips and I palmed my face as I burst into tears immediately. My vision spun and my steps faltered. It was true! He was fucking her!

“Look at you. Like an obedient boy,” Seraphina chuckled, “who would know you have a wife.”

“Tell me about it,” the hostile harsh voice that always sounded like that when it came to me resounded, “I have plans to discard Elara soon.”

“Uhh,” Seraphina gushed, “tell me.”

And Lucien's next words made my limbs go numb, “Make her get the compensation her father left. Take it from her as pay back for every dime I have spent, then I divorce her.”