Chapter 2

I woke up to the smell of coffee and the sound of Lucas moving around in our bedroom.

For a moment, I stayed under the covers, watching him button his shirt in front of the mirror. He looked good, as always. His hair was still a little messy, and he was trying to fix it with one hand while checking his watch with the other.

“Good morning, beautiful.”

I smiled. “You're leaving already?”

He turned around and came over to the bed. “I have an early meeting, remember?”

I had forgotten. Before I could say anything, he leaned down and kissed me.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Very well.”

“Good.” He brushed his fingers over my cheek. “I didn't want you worrying about last night.”

I sat up a little. “I'm not worrying.”

“Really?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Maybe a little.”

He laughed and kissed my forehead. “There's my honest girl.”

I watched him pick up his jacket. “Are you going to talk to Elizabeth?”

His smile faded for just a second, but it returned almost immediately.

“Avi, I said I would, didn't I?”

“I was only asking.”

He walked back to me and held my chin. “You don't have to keep checking on me. I love you. Nothing is going to change that.”

“I love you too.”

He kissed me again before leaving the room. A few minutes later, I heard the front door close.

I lay back against the pillows, smiling to myself.

Sometimes I wondered how I had managed to get so lucky. Lucas was handsome, successful, thoughtful and, despite our little arguments, he always knew how to make me feel loved. He never let me go to bed upset if he could help it, and always made time for me no matter how busy work got.

I picked up my phone and sent him a message.

Have a good day. I love you.

His reply came almost immediately.

Love you more, Mrs Vica.

I laughed and put my phone down.

By the time I got out of bed, I had decided to surprise him at the office. I knew he had a busy day, but I could take him lunch and maybe spend a little time with him. Besides, I wanted to see whether he had actually spoken to Elizabeth.

I chose a simple dress, did my makeup, and ordered food from the restaurant he liked. Then I called the driver and asked him to take me to Lucas's office.

The receptionist greeted me when I stepped out of the elevator. I smiled and told her I was there to see my husband.

“Mr Vica is in his office,” she said. “Would you like me to let him know?”

“No, it's fine. I'll surprise him.”

I carried the food bag in one hand and my handbag in the other as I walked down the corridor.

His office door was closed.

I knocked twice and opened it before he could answer.

“Surprise!”

Lucas looked up so quickly that I almost laughed. He was sitting behind his desk, one hand resting on some documents and the other near his phone.

“Baby?”

“Were you expecting someone else?”

“No.” He cleared his throat. “Of course not.”

I walked further inside. “I brought you lunch.”

“You didn't have to do that.”

“I know. I wanted to.”

I placed the bag on the small table near the window. Lucas watched me, and something about his expression made me pause. He looked tense.

“Are you okay?”

“I'm fine.”

“You look like you've seen a ghost.”

He gave a short laugh. “Just a long morning.”

I moved towards his desk.

“No.”

I stopped. “No?”

“I mean, there's a lot of paperwork here.” He moved a few files around. “I don't want you knocking anything over.”

I looked at the desk. It was spacious enough for the two of us and half the office, but I didn't argue.

“Alright, boss.”

He smiled, though it looked a little forced. “Sit down. I'll be with you in a minute.”

I pulled a chair closer to the desk. “You know, I was thinking about what we discussed last night.”

I remembered the first time Lucas had brought me to this office. He had been so excited to show me the place. He introduced me to everyone, then insisted on ordering lunch because he didn't want me to leave without eating. Even then, he had made me feel like I belonged in every part of his life.

That was why I didn't understand why he was acting so strangely now. Maybe he was under pressure. The company had been preparing for a major deal, and I knew he had barely slept the past few nights. I told myself not to make everything about Elizabeth.

While I waited for him to finish, I looked around the office. There was a framed picture of us on the shelf behind him, taken on our last anniversary. I had my arms around his neck, and he was looking at me instead of the camera.

I smiled when I saw it.

“Do you still like that picture?” I asked.

Lucas glanced over his shoulder. “Of course.”

“You should put another one up. That one is old.”

“Then we'll take a new one this weekend.”

“Promise?”

He nodded. “Anything for you.”

I smiled, but he looked away almost immediately. His attention kept returning to the papers in front of him, though he hadn't turned a page in several minutes.

I tried to ignore it.

“And Elizabeth?”

He looked at me, then briefly towards the door.

I frowned. “Have you spoken to her?”

“Not yet.”

“Why not?”

“Because I've been working, Avianna.”

“I didn't say you weren't.”

He exhaled and leaned back. “Baby, can we not do this right now?”

I studied his face. His lips were slightly parted, and there was a strange tension around his eyes. He looked as though he was trying very hard to concentrate on something.

“Are you sure you're alright?”

“Yes, sweetheart.”

I reached across the desk, hoping to touch his hand, but he moved it to pick up a pen.

“Lucas?”

“I'm fine.” He forced a smile. “I promise.”

I sat back, feeling a little embarrassed. Perhaps I was doing it again. Maybe I was turning a perfectly ordinary visit into another interrogation.

I glanced at the food. “At least eat something before it gets cold.”

“I will.”

“And please don't forget what I asked you.”

He nodded. “I won't.”

I stood and picked up my handbag. “I should let you work.”

“You don't have to leave.”

“You just told me you're busy.”

“I didn't mean it like that.”

I smiled and walked around the chair. “I'll see you at home.”

Lucas looked relieved, though I couldn't understand why. He stood halfway, as if he wanted to come around the desk, then seemed to change his mind.

“Love you, baby.”

“Love you too.”

I blew him a kiss before opening the door.

“Have a good day, Lucas.”

“You too, sweetheart.”

I closed the door behind me and walked towards the elevator.

I'd barely reached it when I remembered I'd left my phone behind. I quickly turned around and headed back to his office.

The moment I opened the door, Lucas's chair shifted backwards.

His head was thrown back, one hand gripping the edge of his desk. His eyes were closed, and his lips were slightly parted.

For a second, I didn't understand what I was looking at.

Then someone moved.

A figure slowly rose from beneath his desk.

I stopped breathing.

Lucas opened his eyes.

And then the person turned.

It was a man.