CHAPTER 1

Perfect...

I clutched a silk velvet tie, smiling warmly.

This would look perfect on him. I raised it, the silver brooch glistening in the light. It had cost me an arm and leg, but it was totally worth it.

I tucked the expensive tie away in its gold - trimmed box. My gaze focusing at the mirror's reflection; long dark hair and dark eyes with dark circles underneath.

I took two steps backwards, making sure i'd adjusted my dress properly. Then i gripped the bag, the ropes delicate against my rough, calloused hands.

Earned through years of running the house chores. I stared up the stairwell, breathing heavily. The wooden boards felt cold, my soles tingling each time i took a step.

Then another.

Standing before the grand oakwood doors, i paused - my breath hitching.

Probably i might have dressed up a tad bit too much. Jason wasn't the type to fancy sophisticated things; he often found them quite complicating to deal with.

My chapped lips parted, a soft sigh escaping them. Then i stretched out my hands once more, reaching for the door knob. My hands froze mid-air, the muffled sounds of laughter coming from his study.

The familiar voices of my husband and child filled my heart with ease. I lowered my gaze, staring at the small box in my hands - maybe now wasn't the right time for this.

I'll just come back later when they're done.

Turning away, i walked a few paces only stopping to glance at the door. I knew that i had to leave, but at that moment, i seemed to be hesitating.

Then i heard it, a loud pitched giggle coming from the inside. I stared, about to shrug it off dismissively, but something felt off.

I walked back towards the door, my footsteps slow and steady. Then i leaned in, pressing my ears against the door, eavesdropping.

" Sweetheart, i've missed you so much."

I listened to the soft, coquettish voice coming from the study. I blinked, confused for a moment. I remembered only my husband and child going in, but why was i hearing a female's voice?.

And,sweetheart....?!

I clutched the small cardboard box, my curiosity and suspicion growing with every passing minute. What the hell was going on?

Was this some kind of prank...?

I stepped back, eavesdropping wasn't right. Maybe this was some sort of a misunderstanding, nothing worth working up about.

I nodded. Yes, everything made sense this way.

I leaned back in, my fingers tracing the carved designs on the door. I needed more faith, my husband would never cheat on me....he would never!

Jason chuckled, his tone filled with deep indulgence. "I've missed you too, darling. If i weren't so busy, i would have made out enough time to be with you".

Darling....

I stumbled, almost losing my balance. Jason.... he just called that person,darling.

"Hmph!!, that's what you keep saying. I think you actually prefer being with that disabled liability of a wife than me". She spoke, her pitch high and mocking.

" No, it's not like that, Aunt Irina. That dull,generic mother of mine can never hold a candle to you. All she does everyday is chores, she doesn't have a taste for anything. In terms of tastes, she pales in comparison to you. How can i possibly prefer someone like that?!", Edward remarked.

I gasped, a sharp pain twisting in my heart. I had never thought of a day my own child would speak so ill of me, all for some stranger.

I bit my lower lips, hands trembling as tears threatened to spill from my eyes. I covered my lips, trying to swallow back my sobs.

"I thought as much, rather than staying with her. Why don't you come over and keep me company?". She spoke softly, not hiding her disdain towards me.

" I've really missed having you guys around, it's boring here without the both of you."

" Irina, i really can't come today. It's my eight year wedding anniversary with Selene". Jason spoke, his tone apologetic.

Irina sighed, expressing her grievance. "You keep saying you love me,yet you can just do this one thing for me. Why do try keeping this marriage when it's clearly a sham”. She paused, "Don't tell me you're already falling in love with her?"

"Irina, you know that's not possible!!", Jason denied hurriedly, his tone firm.

I gripped the hem of my dress, my fingers digging through the fabric and into my palm. With just one sentence, he denied our relationship.

"If it weren't for that incident nine years ago and the need to keep her under control, i would never had gotten together with her in the first place.", he added.

I blinked, utterly confused. What incident could have occurred nine years ago that would've compelled Jason into entering a loveless marriage with me?

Irina snorted, her tone all high and mighty. " I did nothing wrong, they're just a couple of old, annoying folks. How was i supposed to know that they wouldn't survive the car crash....?"

" It would have been better if she also died. I not only failed to kill her, i also lost you to her as well."

I hissed, pain blurring my vision. I held my aching head, feeling the pieces and fragments of lost memories come together. And then it clicked....

Car crash, nine years ago....

I remembered it all, those long buried,dark memories had surfaced. I thought i had gotten rid of them, i thought i was living a better life now...

But nay...

Those memories were back, this time haunting me more than the last.

"You never lost me, Irina. I was all yours from the start, but for the sake of protecting your reputation. I have to do this, i can't let her reopen the case....", he paused.

"At least, not until the statutes of limitation passes. By then,all the clues would have gone cold and she would be left with nothing to fall back on".

" Wasn't that what you always wanted?"