1: Lie To Me If The Truth Hurts

Valerie'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?”