She's the woman in the picture

Chapter 2

Freya's pov

"I have to apologize for my cousins' unannounced visit which contradicted our initial arrangement," he said. " But don't worry, I'll find a way to let them out and everything can go back to how it was".

There was something about his eyes; sad and lonely, but I guess my pain and misery were greater. My gaze rested on the portrait of a beautiful woman in Michael's room. He did have a woman in his heart, I wondered. Why were they apart? Was that the reason behind his loneliness and sadness?.

" Miss Rogers," he called, bringing me from my trance. " My cousins won't come here without an ulterior motive. I know it's going to be difficult, addressing me like a husband publicly, but we have to stick to it. That way, we both get to save the only thing that mattered to us," he paused , but I was unable to say a word, " so in the meantime, you have to stay in my room. I assure you, they'll both leave when they don't get what they want"

"Pretending to be a happy couple, you say?" I asked, fear and tension written all over my face. "Miss Rogers, the contract States otherwise when a third party is involved.This is an agreement ..." He snapped, walking over to his wardrobe and bringing out a shirt, where I glimpsed female dresses amidst his. And then I wondered, what exactly happened to him?

" I'll step out for a while, and do not touch anything" he said emphasising on the last words. He took a few minute to adjust his cufflinks before finally heading out.

" Oh God! Will I be able to do these" I sighed, collapsing on the chair. But I couldn't get my eyes off the portrait. I took a few steps, ignoring Michael's warning as I held onto the portrait. "She's so beautiful" I whispered, mesmerized by the woman's striking features; Tall, slender, with long wavy blonde. I forgot about the fragile frame in my hand. It slipped from my fingers, shattering on the floor with a deafening crash. " Oh no, he's is going to kill me" I panicked, my heart racing.

I trembled, disposing of the shattered portrait fragments. My mind racing, I dreaded confessing to Michael. Glancing at the clock, I realized he'd been gone an hour. Thoughts of Alexis and Raymond's schemes suddenly filled my mind. Concern drove me to investigate. As I grasped the door knob, Michael entered, our bodies almost touching. Our faces inches apart, as my heart skipped a beat. Our locked eyes sparked tension. His piercing gaze saw right through me, quickening my pulse, as my cheeks flushed.

"What?" He asked, scanning the room, as his gaze fell on the shattered frame, his expression changing. I struggled to speak, confession trembling on my lips.

"Don't tell me...." He paused, his eyes narrowing. I took a deep breathe, with images of my past flooding in. Will I face the same pain and torture like I once did? What would make this billionaire in front of me different from the one I gave my all to, the one who murdered me completely.

"I'm sorry....Mr Smith" I managed to speak, my voice breaking as I closed my eyes, expecting the worst.

"Miss Rogers, we had an agreement, you weren't supposed to touch my things. Why?" I opened my eyes as I saw his expression, cold and emotionless. As I opened my mouth to speak, he cut me off. "It's fine," he snapped, his tone firm.

" Mr Smith..." " I said it's fine, Miss Rogers" he repeated, " sleep in your room tonight. I believe my cousin are asleep already" I nodded, feeling remorseful.

"I'm sorry about the portrait" I said before leaving as he didn't utter a word, not one.

I closed the ornate door in front of me as I walked gently to my room. But I never stopped thinking about what he said, about losing everything. What could he have lost to make him distance himself from everyone? Even at the wedding, he never genuinely smiled, only forcing one when we were together to maintain the facade of a perfect marriage. Well, I'll do what I should do for the next six months, and I hope everyone finds the happiness they seek.

Ten hours later

I was awakened by the sudden voice of a woman, echoing through the mansion. My eardrum almost ruptured as I approached, I took my last step as I paused the moment I locked eyes with the woman, the same woman from the broken portrait, likely the owner of the female dresses in Michael's room, Michael's only love.

" What are you looking at?" The woman fired, moving closer to me as I stepped back. I didn't want to cause a scene.

"Where's Michael, you golddigger!" She spat, her venomouus gaze piercing. The cousins exchanged sly smiles,revealing their true intentions. They were spies.

"Just take it easy, Emma" Ray said

"Michael'! Michael!" Emma's shrill cry echoed as Michael emerged from the shadows, my eyes fixed on him. There was no way he could put on a show in this woman's presence, this was going to be the end for Michael. His weakness stood before him, his facade would definitely crumble.

"Em... Emma" he called, his face etched with surprise and shock as he locked eyes with her. she was still beautiful, but her long wavy hair had been replaced by a stylish bob. I watched her revealed a smile, revealing her dimples as she walked over to Michael.

" Sweetheart, I'm back" she said as I looked away, Michael has probably lost his defences.

" Why did you come? Why now?" He asked as I turned to face him suddenly, " Michael?" Emma cried, she didn't expect his response to be that lame and emotionless.

" This is me. It's Emma. C'mon, we can rekindle what we had five years ago. Michael I'm sorry about five years ago.."

"You will not speak of that. You won't speak of five years ago" he cuts her off and I wondered, what happened five years ago?

" Emma, I got married yesterday". he said, his eyes betraying pain. I knew Michael still loved her. "This is Freya,...my wife"

Emma scoffed, "Hell no! We can give her money," she paused, glaring at me ." Name your price. Anything, I'll give you. Just leave Michael alone, he's not supposed to hang around with a woman like you"

"Emma, that's enough!" Michael snapped, as Ray and Alexis exchanged shocked glances.

As Emma opened her mouth to speak, Michael's phone buzzed. He hesitated, then slowly reached for it, his eyes locked on Emma. Pulling the phone from his pocket, his gaze dropped to the screen. Suddenly, his expression transformed; horror, shock, and dread. Michael's eyes widened, his jaw slackened, and his face paled. This billionaire, once composed, now trembled.

He stared, frozen, at the phone. Then, abruptly, his gaze snapped to Emma. I darted glances between Michael and Emma's impassive face. Narrowing my eyes, I sensed a dark connection. Before I could speak, Michael swiftly turned, striding urgently toward his room.

"What's going on?" Alexis asked , but there was silence, stunned silence. I stood, perplexed, wondering; What message could evoke such terror? What secret linked Michael and Emma? The silence was oppressive, heavy with foreboding.

Was it about five years ago?