The Vacation

Kim sat motionlessly on the edge of the velvet sofa, still wearing her red gown. Lucas walked in, looking exhausted. His tie was loosened, his jacket draped over one arm. The moment his eyes fell on her, his brows furrowed.

"Kimmy? What is this?" he asked, throwing his keys onto the console. "I searched for you after the gala. Why did you leave without telling me?"

Kim slowly stood up. Her voice was calm, stripped of the warmth he had known for five years.

"Is Denise pregnant with your child?"

Lucas froze, his jaw tightening.

"Who told you that?" he demanded, stepping closer. "Did Denise talk to you? Did someone from the board send you a message?"

A bitter laugh escaped Kim's throat. She had prayed he would deny it. But his first instinct wasn't to apologize, it was to find out who had leaked the secret.

"So it's true," Kim whispered, her broken heart snapping completely.

Lucas clenched his fist, letting out an annoyed sigh.

"Look, Kim, Paris was a mistake. I was drunk, Denise came to my hotel room, and it happened once," he said dismissively. "It meant nothing. But she's carrying a Jordan child now, and my father found out. I had to give her the Director position to keep her family quiet."

He stepped toward her, reaching for her shoulders. "You have to understand the bigger picture. You're the one with the wife title, Kim. You have me."

Kim stared at the man she had loved since college. The boy who used to share cheap coffee with her was gone. In his place stood a cold tycoon who thought a marriage license was a consolation prize.

She pulled back, knocking his hands away.

"I hate you, Lucas," she said, every word laced with poison. "I hate you with everything I have."

Lucas's face flushed furiously.

"I've worked all night trying to clean up this mess!" he barked. "I come home exhausted, and this is how you react? You're acting like a child throwing a temper tantrum!"

He turned, snatching his keys off the table.

"I'm going to the office. I'll come back when you've calmed down and learned to think rationally."

The heavy doors slammed shut behind him.

Lucas returned at eight in the evening, carrying a bouquet of white orchids and a victory-bound smile. He had convinced himself Kim's outburst was just temporary shock. Once she processed everything, she would fall back into her usual supportive routine. She always did.

"Kim?" he called out, loosening his tie.

She was sitting on the edge of the master bed, dressed in a simple sweater and trousers, staring out at the New York skyline.

Lucas set the flowers on the nightstand and placed his hands on her shoulders. "I know it's hard. But I've been thinking about how to fix this."

Kim didn't pull away, but her posture remained rigid.

"Remember what you said about your birthday?" Lucas's tone softened into the persuasive voice he used for deals. "You've always wanted to visit London. I had my assistant clear my schedule and book us first-class flights. We'll leave the company behind and work out our marriage. What do you say?"

Kim didn't look up.

"Okay," she said flatly.

Lucas blinked, caught off guard, but chalked it up to exhaustion. Smiling, he patted her shoulder. "Good. I'm going to take a shower."

Twenty minutes later, Lucas stepped out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist. He walked toward the bed when his phone burst into a loud ring.

He picked it up.

"Lucas…" Denise's voice broke through, hysterical and breathless, mixed with shattering glass. "Someone is outside my apartment! The security alarm is going off, I'm scared…"

"Denise? Calm down. Are you locked in the master bedroom?"

"Yes! Please, Lucas, the baby…"

"I'm coming right now," Lucas commanded. He hung up and whirled around, grabbing his clothes.

He looked at Kim. "Kim, Denise is in trouble. Someone is trying to break into her place. Given her condition, I have to go."

He waited for her to beg him not to leave. Instead, Kim pulled the blanket up and laid her head on the pillow.

"Okay," she said softly, closing her eyes.

"Kim…" he hesitated. "I'll be back as soon as security clears the building."

Kim didn't open her eyes.

"Okay, Lucas. Go."

The Vacation

They arrived at the airport right on time. Kim stood at the check-in counter with her passport in hand, the fluorescent light catching the sapphire of her wedding ring, a Jordan family heirloom that Lucas had placed on her finger during their vows. Lucas stood beside her, scrolling through his phone.

Kim handed their passports to the agent. They were about to head toward security when Lucas's phone rang.

He answered immediately.

"Denise? Slow down. What happened?"

"I fell down the stairs," Denise's voice crackled through. "I think my ankle is broken. Please, Lucas… I need help…"

Lucas's face went pale. He glanced at Kim, then back at the phone.

"Where are you? Stay there. I'll come."

"Lucas…" Kim started, her voice laced with warning.

He held up a hand, cutting her off. Not now.

"I'm coming," he said into the receiver. "Don't move. I'll be there in twenty minutes."

He hung up and turned to Kim. His expression held a flash of apology, but his body was already turning toward the exit.

"I have to go."

"Excuse me?" Kim stared at him in disbelief.

Lucas looked at her. "Go to London," he said, his voice clipped. "Enjoy the vacation. I'll join you when I can."

"When you can?" Kim let out a hollow, bitter laugh. "You're not coming. You're never coming."

"Kimmy…"

"Just go."

Kim turned her back on him, gripped her carry-on, and walked straight toward the security line without looking back once.

"Kim, wait…" Lucas called out behind her.

She didn't stop.

Kim boarded the plane alone. She settled into her first-class seat, the flight attendant asked if she wanted champagne. She said yes, and down three glasses.