Se connecter[Carter’s pov]A cold wave of dread crawled down my spine. I felt like my head was spinning. The restaurant noises faded into the background. For a moment, all I could hear was my own heartbeat.Six years ago.I stared at her. “You wouldn’t.” My shallow voice warned her. Despite how many times I tried to sound confident my tone displayed how afraid I was.Camilla raised an eyebrow. “Wouldn’t I? You really underestimate me, Carter.”My throat tightened.“If Olivia finds out the truth–” She continued lightly. “Do you really think she’ll still sit here eating your little romantic lunch?”The image struck me instantly.I could instantly imagine Olivia standing up and walking away. Forever. My stomach twisted violently.Camilla watched the realization settle in my eyes.“See?” She whispered. “Now you understand what I am talking about.” She sipped once more, clearing her throat. “Decide wisely, Carter.”My voice dropped to a harsh whisper. “What do you want, Camilla?”She smiled sweetly. “
[Carter’s pov]The music hummed softly, making my senses more tense. My focus remained locked on the empty chair across from me.Olivia had been gone for nearly ten minutes.What was she doing?I hoped she didn’t ditch me today.My fingers drummed lightly against the polished wooden table. While I glanced toward the hallway that led to the washrooms. Every time someone walked past, my heart jolted for a moment. I almost jumped in my place before settling back into restless impatience.“She’ll be back, I am sure.” I muttered under my breath.Still, something about the wait made me uneasy. Olivia had all the reasons to ditch me and run away.To distract myself, I glanced at the table again and around. Dish after dish had begun arriving and my mind was still occupied.Not random dishes.Her favourite dishes. The grilled lemon butter salmon. The herb roasted potatoes. And the creamy mushroom pasta she used to insist on ordering even when she claimed she wasn’t hungry.I chuckled softly u
[Olivia’s pov]I was taken aback by the way they ridiculed me. All of this was Carter’s fault. Nobody knew who his real wife was.For a moment, I couldn’t speak.The cruelty in her words struck deeper than I expected. My fingers curled into fists at my sides as heat rushed to my face.Was this how the world saw me?Invisible from his life.Someone who simply didn’t belong beside him.I forced myself to breathe slowly, refusing to give them the satisfaction of seeing me crumble. I had enough of the humiliation.“You’re mistaken about Camilla.” I said quietly.They exchanged amused glances.“Oh really?” the first one asked.“Because the woman we saw on television beside Mr. Velcro looked nothing like you.”The second woman nodded eagerly.“Yes! She was stunningly sophisticated. Like someone who actually belongs in his world.”My chest tightened.But then the second woman scoffed loudly.“Please.”She folded her arms.“If you’re really Mrs. Velcro.” She said mockingly. “Why don’t you go
[Olivia’s pov]I remained standing at the sink, gripping the marble edge as if it were the only thing keeping me steady. My heart was beating endlessly inside my chest.The door behind me opened again. I could hear two women stepping inside, their heels clicking lightly against the tiled floor.“I’m telling you, I saw her just now.” One of them said excitedly as they approached the mirrors beside me.“Saw who?” The other asked. I began avoiding them.“Mr. Velcro’s wife.”My hands froze. A chill ran down my spine for some reason. Carter had never brought me in public due to our different lives and schedules I had always been occupied with.For a second, I thought I had imagined it.But the conversation continued.“Really?” The second woman replied with a small laugh. “I didn’t even know he brought her out in public. I heard she never attends any events except the VIP and hasn't appeared in restaurants either.”“That’s exactly why I was surprised!” The first woman said. “They’re sitting
[Olivia’s pov]I didn’t realize where Carter was taking me until the car slowed in front of a familiar building. My breath caught in my throat.He remembered it.It was my favorite restaurant.For a moment I simply stared at it, unable to hide my surprise.Carter turned off the engine and stepped out of the car without saying anything. By the time I had gathered my thoughts and opened my door, he was already walking ahead of me.He reached the entrance before me and pushed the glass door open. Then he stepped aside.“After you.”The small gesture felt strangely intimate. Too intimate for two people whose marriage was falling apart.I knew what he was trying to do. I walked inside slowly, my eyes instinctively scanning the familiar interior. Nothing had changed. Six years ago, Carter had brought me here for the first time.I remembered how nervous I had been that night. How he had spilled water on the tablecloth while trying to impress me. We both laughed that day and I had fallen in
[Olivia’s pov]The tension between Carter and Ronan still hung thick in the corridor. “She is Mrs Carter Velcro.” I heard him repeating as if Carter was trying to reassure himself. I was his wife. Not Camilla. Carter tightened his grip around my hand. I glanced at him with mild confusion and a grateful expression.“Now if you are done chatting, Mr Ross. Please, excuse us.” He said curtly, not even bothering to look at Ronan again.This time he didn’t wait for a response.He simply dragged me along. My feet moved automatically beside him as he led me down the corridor. I wondered where Carter's possessiveness was when he cheated on me?In that brief moment I let my thoughts wander and get the best of me. I kept on gawking at him with so many questions. Somewhere deep down I believed he still loved me.As he dragged me along, I didn’t protest. I didn’t try to free my hand either. My naive heart still wanted to hold onto the thought that he was my husband.And everything was normal.







