Chapter 2

This was it. The day I'd secretly been dreading finally happened.

My husband's name -- in another woman's mouth.

Her words almost didn’t register to my ears.

The lady seemed more surprised than me, suddenly appearing startled.

Coral seemed pleased by our responses, although I sincerely doubted she understood my shock.

Her smile widened, “I see you’ve heard of him. I believe he called earlier to set up this appointment.”

“Mrs.” The lady stumbled, “Mrs. Aster?”

Coral checked her nails as she revelled in her moment.

I didn't want to stand around and let her words register into my mind. I wanted her to be a fake. A woman using my husband's name for power because she'd read it in a magazine. Although our relationship wasn't private, and everyone knew Jacob was married, he preferred to keep me hidden.

He said it was to protect me from the outside world. And from people who might try to hurt or manipulate me to get to him. Although I'd thought it was paranoid at first, a few too many awkward encounters made me see his side. 

I took this moment to speak.

“Ma’am,” I stepped forward, “my appointment starts in 5 minutes. Can you please take me in now?”

Coral and Tianna looked at me as if I’d asked to eat their firstborn children.

I didn’t care. I knew their schedules and policies inside and out. The routine was natural. The routine was safe. And the routine would get me away from whatever hell I appeared to be facing.

Either this girl was playing with fire. Getting very lucky in a moment of impulsive name-dropping. Or she wasn’t.

I didn’t want to find out.

“Excuse me, she’s helping us right now,” Tianna said with a sour voice.

“This may be your first time here, but it’s not mine. I know when to enter the treatment areas.” I tried, but probably failed, to keep my voice steady.

“She’s been here before.” Coral said to the lady, “do you know her?”

“Yes, she’s one of our weekly guests. She’s—” The lady was interrupted by Tianna.

“If she’s here every week, why don’t you give me her spot? She can come again next week.”

I laughed because this was ridiculous. And because I didn’t know what else to do. I thought the request was a joke until Coral chimed in.

“My husband will pay you both out for the spot.” She promised.

“Who is your husband, again?” I asked because I needed the clarification. I’d sat in fantasy for too long now and I needed to know.

“Jacob Aster.” Tianna answered smugly. Coral smiled with pride beside her. “CEO of Aster Industries. Founder of the Ensen Project, Rolo Tech Companies, and Aster Pharmaceuticals. Richest man in over 100 countries, including our own. Are you going to pretend you’ve never heard of him?”

I felt my stomach drop and my face drop a few shades. Jacob…

Whatever response I made with my face seemed to brighten Tianna’s day. She beamed with excitement and pride, “you have heard of him.”

“Call my husband.” Coral sighed in a pretense that she wanted this charade to end. “Ask him what he can do to give us this spot.”

The lady looked at me with uncertainty. Although I’d probably seen her a hundred times, I’d never directly said more than a couple words to her. My accounts were always paid ahead. I checked in at the front door. I knew the routine and had been doing it long before she started working here.

But I wanted to hear it. I needed to hear Aster’s voice when he confirmed what this woman was claiming.

Whatever morbid part of me needed this took over and I said to the lady, “you can call him. Make sure to say her name too, so he’s not confused if he has other wives.”

“How dare you!?” Tianna snapped but Coral put a hand out in front of her and gave me an intrigued look.

Coral smiled at the girl, “yes. Obviously you should use my name.”

The girl rushed to the front desk and grabbed a phone, followed by a little black book. She typed in the number and started talking.

I stood frozen. I should’ve demanded to go inside. I should have ignored these women and run away. I knew the answer before asking the question. I didn’t need to prove myself right. I should’ve fainted or pretended to break my ankle. Anything to not have to stand here, barely dodging their smug glances.

The lady rushed over, the phone by her ear.

She seemed conflicted.

“Mr. Aster is wondering how much you need to give up your reservation.”

I hesitated. Could it really be him? How would the spa have his number? What guarantee did I have that it was really him?

“How do you know that’s the real Jacob Aster?” I asked.

“Jacob Aster owns the company that runs this place. I think they could find his number.” Coral scoffed.

“I doubt a barista could call the CEO of Starbucks and I doubt that’s really Jacob Aster.” I said as coolly as I could. The spa had his number. I knew that. They'd had it for at least 6 years. But I was desperate to believe I’d just misunderstood him all these years.

He'd never cheat on me. His lady friends were indeed just friends and he viewed me as petty and jealous. Jacob loved me. He truly loved me like I truly loved him.

That had to be true.

The lady covered the speaker on the phone and quietly explained, “we received a call from Mr. Aster’s assistant, Cal Hensworth, this morning asking us to fit Miss. Monroue in. He left us Mr. Aster’s number in case there were any issues.”

I felt my heart plummet again.

She put the phone to her ear again as the voice on the other side spoke again. She seemed to flinch at whatever it was he said.

I couldn’t relax anymore. Even if I ignored this request and entered, I wouldn’t be at peace. My tough façade would crack any second.

I turned to the lady and said, “then tell him she can have my spot for a hundred thousand dollars.”

The lady’s eyes widened and both Tianna and Coral gasped.

“Are you insane?” Coral gasped horrified.

“You said Jacob Aster is your husband? Then that money should be nothing to him.” I dismissed.

I saw the fear and uncertainty etch across her face.

But as the lady repeated my request into the phone, a seemingly relaxed sigh left her mouth.

“I will let them know.” She said before hanging up and looking at us. She hesitated but calmly announced, “he agreed to pay a hundred thousand dollars in exchange for your spot.”

I bit my lip and fought the tears. I tried but failed not to look at Coral. She seemed more surprised than me, but her excitement bubbled over. So this… was what our relationship was worth.

A hundred thousand was never a sacrifice he’d give his heartbroken and abandoned wife. It was the standard rate for any dissatisfied woman.

And it was apparently the amount I’d sold my pride for.

Over and over again.