Chapter 7

WILLOW

The next day.

“Willow, here’s money. I don’t want you to think that I deprived my trophy wife money that she needs. Go out and have fun,” Lucas smirked at me as he was ready to go to the office.

I know this is the right time to pretend, so Lucas won’t know I am planning something. “Thanks for the offer. But I am not feeling well today. I have a stomach ache. I might just stay here in the house for a while. Don’t bother,” And I put on an act.

Lucas seemed to believe me and he shrugged his shoulders. “Alright, then,”

But the truth is, I am going to follow my husband today. So before 5 p.m, I went out and went to his company. I am going to check my husband’s whereabouts.

I have a bad feeling about it. So as I sat in the car, waiting for Lucas's arrival, my heart pounded with nervous anticipation. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting an ethereal glow over the empty parking lot. 

It was now 5 p.m., the end of office hours, and I knew that Lucas would soon emerge from the building. I had a feeling he was hiding something from me, something that gnawed at my insides and compelled me to uncover the truth.

My palms grew damp as I clutched the steering wheel, my eyes fixed on the entrance of the office building. A battle waged within me, torn between the desire to trust my husband despite his coldness and the overwhelming need to unveil the secrets that lay shrouded in darkness. Doubt lingered like a relentless specter, whispering in my ear, fueling my determination.

"What are you hiding, Lucas?" I muttered under my breath, my voice laced with a mix of anxiety and curiosity. "Why do I feel like there's more to your actions than meets the eye? I need to know."

A surge of adrenaline coursed through my veins as the main entrance swung open, and employees began to trickle out. My gaze locked onto the familiar figure of Lucas, dressed impeccably as always, his charismatic aura drawing others in. But I knew there was a facade behind that charm, a hidden truth that eluded me.

As Lucas strode toward his car, a surge of nerves tightened my chest. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the task at hand. I had to follow him, to unravel the enigma that consumed my thoughts. I had to uncover the secrets he guarded so fiercely.

Slipping the key into the ignition, I started the car, my hands trembling with a mix of anticipation and fear. The engine hummed to life, matching the erratic rhythm of my racing heart. I reminded myself that I had returned from the grave, reborn with a purpose, and this was part of it. I couldn't let my fears hold me back.

As Lucas pulled out of the parking lot, I maintained a safe distance behind him, careful not to draw attention. My mind whirled with possibilities, concocting scenarios of what awaited me at the end of this pursuit. I couldn't shake the feeling that Lucas's actions were leading him down a treacherous path, and I was determined to discover the truth, no matter how painful it may be.

The streets unfurled before me, a labyrinth of possibilities, as we weaved through the city. My hands clenched the steering wheel, my knuckles turning white as I facing the twists and turns, always keeping Lucas in sight. Doubts assailed my mind, questioning the consequences of my actions, but my resolve remained unyielding.

"I have to know, Lucas," I whispered, my voice laced with determination. "If there's darkness hiding within you. No secrets will remain buried."

Seconds turn into minutes, my heart pounded in my chest like a relentless drumbeat, threatening to shatter the fragile facade of composure I desperately clung to. Fear, anxiety, and a gnawing sense of dread consumed me as I watched Lucas step out of the car, his confident demeanor betraying no hint of the secrets that lay hidden within.

"What are you up to, Lucas?" I murmured, my voice barely audible as a whisper in the empty confines of the car. I couldn't comprehend why he had veered off the familiar path home, why he had brought us to this opulent hotel instead. A million possibilities raced through my mind, each one more sinister than the last.

My hands trembled, clutching the steering wheel as if it were the only anchor in this sea of uncertainty. The vibrant lights of the hotel bathed the surroundings in a seductive glow, an alluring facade that masked the secrets lurking within its walls. I could feel the weight of those secrets pressing upon me, demanding to be revealed.

"I can't let fear hold me back," I whispered, my voice laced with determination, though my trembling hands betrayed my nerves. "I must know the truth. No matter how painful, I need to uncover what lies behind my husband’s actions!”

The marble floors beneath my feet felt cold and unforgiving, matching the icy grip that held my heart. I observed the opulence that surrounded me, the extravagance that seemed to dance in every corner, taunting me with its allure.

As I followed in Lucas's footsteps, my gaze fixated on his figure, perfectly poised and seemingly at ease. But I knew better. I knew that beneath that polished exterior lay a storm of secrets, threatening to destroy the fragile foundation of our marriage.

"What could he possibly be doing here?" I pondered, my thoughts racing with a mix of fear and anticipation. "Who is he meeting? What are the lies he's weaving?"

The air was heavy with a palpable tension as I made my way through the lavish corridors, my senses on high alert. The scent of expensive perfume and the muffled sounds of hushed conversations filled the air, further fueling my unease. My steps faltered as I entered the lavish hotel, acutely aware of the prying eyes that lingered upon me. 

The opulence that surrounded me seemed to mock my presence, as if the very walls whispered, "You don't belong here." I felt their judgment, their disdain for a woman of my supposed insignificance daring to infiltrate their realm of luxury.

Ignoring the smirks and glances of the guests and staff, I continued my pursuit of Lucas, determined to unravel the truth that lay concealed within these gilded halls. However, my resolve was met with an obstacle in the form of a snobbish receptionist, her eyes filled with contempt.

"Excuse me, miss, do you have any business in the hotel?" the receptionist sneered, her tone laced with mockery. Her condescension seeped through every word, reminding me of the vast divide between us.