Chapter 4 Too Late, Valera

The remote flew to the television as I turned it off. The cracks on the screen spread like a spiderweb. I sighed heavily, sick of what's on the news. It has been a month, and yes, Lorenzo saved my name from its total ruin.

But the news broadcasting my canceled projects, brand deals, and partnership boils my blood. I get it! I am ruined. I barely have a project to work on right now. My fingers brushed the waves of hair covering my face.

"You know, it's good that you're laying low." I heard Ella as she picked up the remote. Her lips pursed, seeing the broken screen of the television.

I scoffed.

"Nothing is good right now, especially when we lost half of my projects."

"Time passes, and the public will forget. Don't worry, you'll be back on top in a few months."

I've been stuck inside this dreaded mansion. Making the public believe that Lorenzo and I are fine is painstaking. Faking and lying is what I'm good at, but this arrangement with Lorenzo is bothering me.

I've been staying here for a week, and not once have I seen Lorenzo come back after work. His whereabouts? I don't have a clue. If Ella weren't here, I'd be crazy being alone.

"You know there's nothing wrong with asking where your husband is," she stared at me, anticipating a question from me. I just rolled my eyes.

"I don't bother looking for someone who doesn't even want to see me."

She gave me a brown envelope. I eyed it intently, sitting on my lap. I looked back at her, and she shrugged at me. My brows raised, urging her to spill the purpose of the envelope.

She sighed, "It's not like I never heard your rants in the kitchen while you're drunk."

My head lowered as I got what her point meant. For the past week, I have indulged myself with martinis and bottles of champagne, getting drunk. But I guess she heard all my rants about Lorenzo and his woman- his secretary.

"Please, I don't need this," I denied.

"Trust me, you do," she gestured to open the envelope.

With a huff, I picked up the envelope. My eyes went back to Ella.

"This better be worth it," I opened the envelope and saw several pictures of Lorenzo and... his secretary. Great! But I had to swallow my pride because of my curiosity.

Two pictures were Lorenzo picking her up from her apartment complex. I rolled my eyes. Five photos were them having a date at some five-star hotel and a restaurant Lorenzo never took me. I bit the insides of my cheek. Despite my breathing getting heavy, I continued to look at the remaining photos.

My shoulders dropped. Two photos of them kissing passionately. Another photo embracing each other. I only stopped from turning from one photo to another when I saw them enter and exit a hotel. My hands, barely stable, took one paper that peeked with the secretary's photo on it.

It's her biodata. Alyssa Grey. 23. Ordinary parents, teachers. No siblings. A fresh graduate with latin honors. Now, his secretary. I saw the line of credentials and achievements, I had to drop the envelope.

"Thanks for making me feel so much better, Ella." I dropped on the couch. Defeat. That's what I felt. I thought I had buried my feelings for him a long time ago. For years, I believed that I'd be fine if he loved someone else.

Did he feel the same way when I went out with several men? When I did, he never really cared. Never batted an eye at my dirty deeds. This is my karma. I pursed my lips and slumped more.

"You need some reality check, Val," she sat beside me.

"That I lost?"

"No. That you're a bitch and a wife. You have every right to be against what you saw."

"I've been cheating on him throughout our whole marriage. What right do I have right now? Who am I to go against his happiness?"

Ella and I grew silent. My arms hugged my bent knees tighter with each second. No one said a word for a while until we heard a car arriving at the entrance gate. Ella and I looked at each other at the same time like we had the same thought in mind.

"He's home?" I asked.

"I think that's the sound of his car."

I jumped from my seat and went straight to the window. When I saw his black Aventador, I froze. He's actually home. This is a once in a blue moon event!

"You had a reason for your actions," I heard Ella, also peeking out the window.

"You cannot justify cheating, Ella."

"But you can change. I know you can change. For you and him. For the sake of your marriage."

I exited my room and headed out. Since we got married, Lorenzo liked to stay in his office all the time, barely spending time with me. He usually comes back home at midnight and goes to work before dawn breaks.

He came home. And it's one in the afternoon! I can't deny the excitement filling my viens. I've done a lot of actions that are unforgivable, but I'm willing to change things. No matter what. I will save this marriage.

Before my hand took a grip on the door, it opened. Lorenzo entered swiftly with his blank expression. His eyes darted directly to me. He closed the door and walked past me. I kept my expression cold, hiding my excitement.

"You're here," I said briefly.

"Get ready."

My brows shot up. I turned around, and just in time, he turned to my direction. We faced each other, both in our own emotionless faces.

"Why?"

"Family dinner."

My stomach churned. The only times we ever do family dinners would be when there's something important to be discussed. I never really liked family dinners ever since Lorenzo and I married. It would always be about us. I huffed an amount of air.

I nodded and went straight to my room to change. I immediately changed from a simple jeans and shirt to a red long-sleeve A-line off shoulder blouse and paired it with a pearl white midi skirt. A bit of accessories, and I'm ready.

I headed out, but I was taken aback when I saw Lorenzo leaning on the car with the door open. I raised a brow.

"What kind of show is this, Lorenzo?"

I saw his jaw clenched.

"Paparaziss outside are looming. It's best if you come with me."

"The last time I checked, you planned on ruining me. Now, you wanna be a hero," I scoffed as I went inside the car.

He drove us from the mansion to their family beach house in the north. The moment the car stopped, I opened the door and went out, leaving him. Monique was already at the entrance to greet us.

She greeted me with a warm hug.

"Oh, dear. How has it been?" She checked me from head to toe. She's the only mother figure I have. My own mother? I wouldn't want to mention.

"Doing better, as always."

Behind her was my own mother. A kiss from the cheek and her brief words were all she could give as she turned around. I looked at Monique as my eyes hit the warmth of the sun, reflecting my awe of her.

"Dinner is ready. We've been waiting for you."

She subtly gave Lorenzo a nod before we went inside. The table was ready. My family and Lorenzo's were already sitting. Looks like we were really the ones last to come. I sat in front of Aunt Alisa. Lorenzo was just next to me.

Dinner started, and common conversations between businessmen started. The air was filled with the roasted turkey, champagne, and the eyes of my mother on me. It's making me sweat and now, I can't eat properly.

My mother's eyes on me could only mean one thing, she wants something from me. I exhaled heavily but quietly enough so they couldn't hear me.

"You okay?"

I heard Mikael beside me. I looked at his plate. He's been eating well.

"Good."

"You don't sound like one. Is it because of my brother?"

I shook my head. Before I could say anything, I heard my mother's voice.

"This dinner gathers us all here for an essential reason for our families prosperity," her eyes never left me.

Mom looked at Sir Badger Huxley, the Chairman. I hitched my breath.

"Lorenzo... Valera... you've been married for three years now. It's time to give us an heir. This will be a new step for our company and family."

A stifled laugh escaped my mouth until it turned to a horrendous laugh that filled the dining area. I shook my head repeatedly, thinking everything I heard was a joke until I heard my father's sharp voice.

"Valera."

My laugh died slowly as my shaking fingers covered my lips. With my pursed lips, I still had the strength to smile at my family.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry... Did I hear it right? A child?"

"Not just a child, but an heir," my mother's voice raised. Dad had to calm her down.

"Monique, you agree with this?" I asked, baffled.

She nodded, and my shoulders dropped. My only ally even agreed to this.

"My child, I know you're confused. But with all the rumors spiraling, a child is the best long-term solution right now," Sir Badger continued.

"I cannot birth a child just so it could save me. To secure my current position as his wife? This is a ridiculous conversation." I questioned them as the idea disgusted me.

"And to secure your right to claim," Monique uttered.

I stood to my ground. "No. This is a bad id–"

"Sure."

My words were cut thin when I heard his answer. My head slowly turned to meet his eyes. I witnessed how his adam's apple moved slowly as his eyes met mine. My body was in shock. My lips could not close, but I felt it close when his warm palm touched my fisted hand.

My brows furrowed. This is bad. I'm now doomed.