Chapter 46
Vikki’s POV
472
55 vouchers
The smell of sautéed garlic and butter filled the kitchen, curling into the air. I stood by the counter, gently stirring the sauce.
“Maybe he’s just busy,” I murmured to myself, even though I’d stopped believing my own excuses months ago.
Still, I picked up my phone and dialed his number. The line rang twice before Edmund’s low, steady voice came through.
“Vikki?”
“Hey,” I said lightly, forcing a smile he couldn’t see. “How’s work today?”
A short pause. “Busy. A lot on my desk. Can I call you back later?”
“Of course,” I said, letting a soft laugh slip out. “I just wanted to hear your voice.”
“Thanks, sweetheart. I’ll talk to you soon.”
And then the line went dead.
I stood there, phone pressed against my palm, staring at the sauce that was now starting to bubble too fast. He hadn’t even asked how I was. Not once.
I turned off the stove and leaned against the counter, letting out a slow breath. My eyes drifted to the framed wedding photo hanging by the kitchen door, me in white satin, him in a tailored black suit, his hand on my waist, our smiles bright and believable.
That picture used to give me warmth. Now it only gave me questions.
After a moment, I straightened up. “If he’s too busy for lunch,” I muttered, “I’ll take it to him.”
I moved around the kitchen with purpose, ignoring the tightness in my chest. The sauce went into a thermos, the pasta into a lunch container. I cut fresh herbs for garnish, arranged everything neatly in a wicker basket, and tied a ribbon around it.
By the time I was done, I almost believed the story I was telling myself, that this was a simple, loving gesture from a wife who wanted to surprise her husband.
Upstairs, I spent longer than necessary in the shower, letting the hot water sting my skin. When I stepped out, I wrapped myself in a towel and stood in front of the mirror, staring at the woman looking back.
The diamond ring on my finger glinted mockingly.
“You’re his wife,” I whispered, tightening my jaw. “Act like it.”
20:41 Wed, Jan 28
Chapter 46
:
(7)
55 vouchers
I opened my closet and scanned through hangers before settling on one of Edmund’s favorites, a pale blue silk blouse that hugged my shape, tucked into a cream pencil skirt. My hair fell in loose waves over my shoulders, and I chose minimal jewelry: pearl earrings, my wedding ring, and a gold watch.
For a final touch, I added a hint of red lipstick.
When I caught my reflection again, I forced a confident smile. “Let’s remind him who he married.”
I picked up the food basket, slipped on my heels, and headed out.
The afternoon sun was warm as I drove through the city, music playing low in the background. I tried to convince myself that I was doing something sweet. Maybe Edmund had just been distant because of work. Maybe this lunch would remind him that we were still a team.
Still married. Still something.
Halfway to his office, I passed by one of his favorite restaurants, the one he used to love before business dinners and board meetings took over his life. Without thinking twice, I turned into the parking lot.
“Let’s make it perfect,” I said to myself as I walked in. “I’ll grab that drink he loves.”
But the moment I stepped inside, everything inside me froze.
Through the glass windows facing the street, I saw him.
Edmund.
Sitting at a table right outside the restaurant patio, laughing softly, his sleeves rolled up, his body angled toward a woman sitting opposite him.
And that woman-
I blinked. My fingers went numb, the handle of the food basket digging into my palm.
“Amelia?” I whispered.
The world seemed to tilt for a moment. My chest tightened, and the air felt too thick to breathe. I had to blink again to be sure, but there was no mistaking it. Her hair, her soft smile, the way her hand brushed against his arm like they were the only two people in the world.
My husband.
And his doctor.
They looked comfortable. Too comfortable. Laughing. Talking. The way his eyes softened when he looked at her, like I hadn’t seen in years.
For a moment, I just stood there, rooted to the spot, the noise of the restaurant fading into a distant hum. My stomach sank, twisting painfully.
He didn’t even have the decency to hide.
20:41 Wed, Jan 28
Chapter 46
:
7)
55 vouchers
Out in the open. Broad daylight. At the front tables where anyone could see. Did he not care about the tabloids? About what people would say?
I swallowed hard, anger simmering beneath the shock.
I pulled out my phone with trembling hands and dialed his number.
Across the street, I watched him glance at the phone, his brow furrowing. Then, he declined the call.
The audacity.
I stared at the screen, my pulse pounding. He’d seen it was me. And he’d declined it.
Heat rushed up my neck. I dialed again, forcing my voice to stay calm this time.
He picked up on the second ring.
“Vikki,” he said, his tone tight. “I thought I told you I was busy.”
I took a slow, deliberate breath, forcing a smile into my voice. “Oh, I know, honey. I just wanted to tell you I’m on my way to your office… with lunch.”
There was a pause. “Really?”
“Mm–hmm. Your favorite pasta. I thought you could use a break.”
He cleared his throat. “That’s fine. I’ll be here.”
“Okay, darling. See you soon.”
I ended the call, staring at him through the glass.
He leaned forward, whispering something to Amelia. She nodded, her smile fading slightly. Then he stood, adjusting his tie, and started toward his car.
I watched every step, my fingers tightening around the basket handle until my knuckles turned white.
“You liar,” I muttered under my breath.
He wasn’t at the office. He wasn’t buried in work. He was here, smiling, laughing with her.
The drive to his office was a blur. My thoughts were louder than the traffic, replaying every word he’d said that morning, every excuse, every late night.
Was it all a lie?
When I finally parked outside his building, I didn’t go in. I just sat there, my heart hammering, the untouched lunch cooling beside me.
I could still see his face in my mind, the way his eyes softened when he looked at her. He hadn’t looked at me like that in years.
20:41 Wed, Jan 28
Chapter 46
Maybe he never would again.
(7?)
55 vouchers
The realization hurt more than I wanted to admit. Beneath the anger, there was something else, a hollow ache, the quiet understanding that whatever we once had was slipping through my fingers.
Still, I wasn’t going to just sit and watch. Not when I could find out.
I pulled out my phone again and scrolled through my contacts until I found the name I needed.
“Trish,” I said when my friend answered, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Hey, girl! It’s been forever. How are you?”
“Oh, you know,” I said lightly, though my throat felt dry. “Still breathing.”
Trish laughed. “Still married to Mr. Perfect?”
I forced a small chuckle. “Yeah. About that…”
“What’s wrong?”
“Quick question,” I said, glancing at the hospital building across the street. “Remember that private investigator you mentioned once? The one you said helped you find out about your ex’s affair?”
“Yeah, I remember. Why?”
“I might need his number,” I said, my tone dropping.
A pause. “Vikki… are you sure you want to go down that road?”
“I just need to know, Trish. That’s all.”
She sighed. “I’ll text it to you. But be careful, okay?”
“Always,” I whispered.
When the call ended, I leaned back in my seat and stared out the windshield. The hospital lights shimmered in the afternoon haze, and for the first time in years, I felt the thin glass of my marriage begin to crack.
Anger was easy. But beneath it, something darker stirred, guilt. Because even as I sat there, part of me knew the truth.
I hadn’t been in love with Edmund for a long time. Not truly. But he was still mine. And I wasn’t ready to watch another woman, especially her, take him away.
I took a deep breath, forcing the shakiness out of my hands.
“I’ll find out what you’re hiding, Edmund,” I whispered, my voice low and cold. “I
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
