I'm married to the 'love of my life' except his heart beats for another - My late sister. And now with his baby, I'm trapped in a twisted game of deceit and lethal secrets.
View MoreValerie's POV
“Are you fucking crazy?!”
Penelope groans as she snatches the velvety box of a customized diamond ring from my hand. She reads the receipt in disbelief and oddly spins into laughter.
I duck, embarrassed about the little drama in front of my domestic staff.
“50k dollars for a damn ring? Wait…” She gasps. “You didn't use your life savings for it, did you…”
It's slowly getting out of hand.
“Oh, my god.” Acting like she is struggling to breathe, she collapses into a seat around the finely decorated dining table.
“It's not just a ring, Penny. I saw the sketch in Baron's archive. I guess he would have proposed with it…” I pause to gulp air into my parched lungs. “I want to make our third anniversary special, yunno- renew our vows with his dream ring…”
“Exactly. His.” She scoffs. “It’s all about him, and never you. If he loves you a bit, he'd know that your favorite color is peach, not pink!” She slaps the glass table, causing the fancy glassware to rattle.
I can feel my staff's eyes on me and they suddenly whisper. My hands clench beside me.
“So what if he loves pink on me…”
“Vee…”
“No, listen!” My voice takes a rough tone, with rage seeping through my pores. “You know, I thought my ‘best friend' could help out.” I sigh. “But clearly, you're ruining my day. Leave.”
My stern command makes the place go still.
“What?” She stutters, shocked to her bones.
I stretch my hand out, demanding that she hands back the ring.
She chuckles in disbelief and hesitates for a brief second before slamming the box into my palm and storming out. “I hope you don't regret this.”
The loud bang follows as she slams the door shut.
“You know what, I changed my mind.” I manage a small smile. “I want this to be a private dinner… So all of you, take the day off.”
They nod and mumble their responses before leaving in obedience. Alone, I admire the customized ring with our initials; V.B. The part with my letter has a pink shade from rare stones, and the other has white, Baron’s favorite color.
I set it on the fine dining table. I took time off work to set the table, decorating it with petals and romantic candles around it.
3 PM.
Baron won't be home until 4.
Feeling a bit too extra, I have a quick shower, settle into a sexy pink two-piece that Baron got me on my birthday. The skirt is a bit too tight and the boob cups too small, but it gives off good cleavage. I have my hair styled in the exact way he always compliments me in, and douse myself in the sweet perfume he got me on our last anniversary.
Something feels odd…
I pause to listen closely. Low groans filter in through the bedroom window. My heart sinks deep in my stomach, and it suddenly feels cold. All my domestic staff are gone…
‘I have an intruder?!’
Without thinking twice, I throw on a robe, grab the bedside lamp, and head towards the sound. My bedroom overlooks the sprawling lawn in the backyard.
The noise gets louder.
Clutching tighter to my weapon, I take gentle steps, trying not to alert whoever it is. Past the garden, I see a familiar figure sobbing and murmuring at Veronica, my elder sister's grave.
Baron?!
My brain spins, trying to figure out why my husband who should be at work is at the back of our house, and on my sister's grave, crying.
“I miss you…” His polished British accent fills the air. “I have only loved you in my life, Vee…” His breath shudders as he sobs.
Thick beads of sweat streak down. My heart pounds in my chest like it will explode.
Weak to the knees, I stagger backward. My hand grows limp, causing the lamp to fall and crash. Shards of broken glass slice through my skin.
It startles Baron. He gasps, shocked. “Vee, I’m just… This isn’t what you think…”
“Don't you dare,” I'm trying not to give in. “You have a fetish for the dead…”
“No.” He shuts his eyes. “Let's not do this…”
“You love my dead sister?! Are you a psychopath?! What the…”
“I was supposed to marry her!” He bluffs and palms his face when the words spill out. “This… It was supposed to be her anniversary, not yours.”
I shake my head. None of it is making sense.
“Before cancer took her, I made her a promise to save the company.” He puffs. “It was the only reason you got into the picture.”
“No. No.” Tears threaten to fall. “We met at the Cafe, remember? I spilled coffee and you and you were just so sweet…”
“It was all planned.” He stops me from yapping. “I’m sorry.”
I take hurried steps towards him but he retreats. Hands out, I aim to touch his cheeks and shake him off the spell. I miss a step, putting pressure on the skirt as it rips, and I fall on Veronica’s grave. I remain still, sobbing.
“I’m sorry,” he continues to mumble.
My palms kiss the grave and I attempt to stand up when I see Veronica’s portrait. She was beautiful and slim, having been a model. The fine pink dress suits her pale skin and dark-blonde hair…
Shaky, my hand reaches to pull my hair. My fingers start to tremble. My hair is dyed in her shade like I'm her spitting image.
Oh, my god!
Still trembling, I manage to get on my feet. My whole body jerks in shock, even my lips are quivering. “You know I love peach yet you always get me pink dresses.”
“Come on, Vee.” It's his turn to reach for me. “I just get it in a better shade.”
I ignore him. “You make me dye my hair and diet just to fit into the small dresses even though they are custom-made.”
Thick balls of saliva threaten to choke me.
‘Shoulders high… Chin squared… Smile just a little… Keep your poise…’
His incessant lectures taunt my sanity.
I break into a loud sob. “Am I her replacement?”
“Jeez.” He stutters and rakes his hands through his jet-black hair. The truth is clear in his ocean-blue eyes, but I want him to say it…
Maybe lie to me.
“I have one question, Baron.” I sniffle. “When you call me Vee,” I stop to catch my breath, scared of the truth. “Do you mean Valerie or Veronica?”
Baron’s POVThe door creaks open and I jerk out of dreamland to see Jax by the door. I’m still in the tiny space of the hospital bed and Valerie is yet to show any sign of consciousness. “I didn't mean to startle you, boss.” He bows. “I knocked a few times.” I ignore him and inhale deeply. My head is pounding with a profuse ache. It feels like it’d fall off my neck. “Wait for me outside.” He nods and walks out, shutting the door behind him. “Love, how are you?” I murmur to Valerie even though she’s deep asleep. “I want you to know I'm always here. Okay?” I brush her hair backward and stroke down, tracing the outline of her full lips with the pad of my thumb. The gentle curve of her chin. I cup her small face.“Hold on for us, okay?” I trail down her body and to her baby bump. “For our baby.” Then I reach down and kiss her belly button. “And for you, love.” I find her lips and kiss her. Gentle.Loving. I hesitate a little before walking out of the ward just in time as Dr. Pamela
Baron’s POVDr. Pamela’s distressed face breaks me more than anything. More than Veronica running down the hallway. And way more than every plan that failed today. I rush towards Dr. Pamela, blocking Veronica’s groaning with the back of my head. It's hard to keep a strong facade when I'm literally at my breaking point. We meet halfway. “Is she okay? Can I see her?” “Not yet.” Her tone is flat. She has that odd look in her eyes that I can't wrap my head around. She dips her hands into the pockets of her scrubs. “Pam?” I grit my teeth. “Tell me the truth.” The rise and fall of my chest is sharp.She scoffs. “You want to know the truth, right?” She shrugs. “Cus damn it, Mr. Baron, I want to have a word with you.” With that, she walks away, waiting for me to follow behind. Veronica and Penelope are now close. Penelope carries the little boy while Veronica runs down like a model filming a runaway bride scene. “Oh, my god. How is my sister?” Her familiar thin voice, breaks. “Tell me
Valerie’s POVThe replica of my late sister is before me. From the looks to the polished accent and perfect mannerism. Only that this one has a child.I forget how to breathe. My eyes bulge out and my chest tightens from lack of air. My breathing slowly gets labored. ‘My sister is alive?!’‘Is resurrection even a thing?!’ I saw them lay her coffin six feet beneath! “Valie?” She snaps me out of my frozen state. “Is this what you say after years of your darling sister being missing?” Her nose scrunches up in slight provocation.“You’re dead.” I stutter with my lips quivering. “You-you died.” I can hear my heart pounding hard in my chest. “No sugar-pee.” She calls me by my nickname. “It's a long story.” She waves it off with a small shrug as she normally would. “Enough of that, let's talk about you, birthday girl. You're big and preggy too!” She flashes her charming smile.Everything to let you know that she is the right one before me. “When I saw the news of my little pie being p
Valerie’s POV“We’re under attack!”The security man besides the driver alarms the others in the second car behind us while the driver tries to make a swift U-turn. The lane is not so busy which means so many things can go wrong. “God, please…” Thick sweat streams down my pores. My hands are shaky. I dial Baron. Each second that counts feels like hell.I crouch down, hands over my head.No bullets yet but I can't tell for how long.“Pick the fucking phone!” I'm panting. They tires hit something hard, like a rock, and it jerks to a forced stop.Fuck! My body goes rigid. My lips quiver and all I can imagine is dying. ‘What about my baby?’ I break down in tears. ‘I promised Baron forever, this wasn't my birthday wish.’ The driver and my security man steps out. I hear loud argument and then silence.That kind of silence that you know they're either dead or subdued. Either way, you're cooked.Just that second, Baron answers his goddamn phone.“Love?”Instead of speaking, I break int
Valerie’s POV“Happy birthday, love.” Baron’s cool baritone wakes me up.My eyes blink open to see Baron’s face covered in cake and sprinkles. His lashes bat nonstop, small mouth forms a small hilarious ‘O’ as he sings.“Oh, god.” I heave a soft sigh, a hand to my chest. I don't plan on starting my big day with so much drama. “You said you only wanted me.” He licks his lip as he crawls onto the bed, approaching me like an edible alien.I chuckle. “Babe.” “Yeah?” He slips right through my open legs, body grazes mine. “You can have all of me.” He presses down and kisses my bare knee. Soft. Tender.“Chocolate. Red velvet.” He elaborates on the cake plastered on his face like he dipped his face in it. “Vanilla… Taste better. Creamy.” “Ba…” He steals my lips in a warm kiss, crashing his frame into my small one. His messy face rubs against mine. Dressing me in his cake costume. “Oh, god.” I try to ward him off but he cradles me beneath him.Possessive.I lay under him, giggling. Ha
Baron’s POV‘DR. GLYNN WATERS ESCAPED PRISON SEVENTY-TWO HOURS AGO.’What. The. Heck?!My heartbeat spikes, beating hard in my chest as if it will explode. The news is still shocking. Maybe fake. “How?” I mumble under my breath and go through the legitimate news sources. It's a whole seventy-two hours. How! How did i miss that?! I rely so much on Jax to inform me about trends like this, but there's so much one man can handle. I can't blame him. At this point, Valerie and Penelope’s voices fade into a whisper. My eyes run through many media handles that still bear the same news. Dr. Glynn is truly out! Three days ago was approximately the time Valerie and I were attacked. Exactly the time Agent Tyson was killed. “Babe?” Valerie calls out a bit too loudly, commanding my attention. “Are you okay? You keep mumbling to yourself. When our eyes meet, she asks.“Yeah.” I start typing to Pete. “Come over here, she wants to serve us.” She beckons. “Thanks, love.” I seriously type on
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