Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Please Stay

Under the soft light, Isabella stood there, stunning as always. She'd just come out from a shower, wearing nothing but a black silk cami dress that hugged her figure-every curve visible under the sheen, seductive without trying.

"You and Theodore are done. You seriously think you still have a place here?"

With no one else around, Isabella didn't bother keeping up appearances. Her tone was sharp and cutting.

Victoria reached out and grabbed something off the table. Lifting up the document, she replied coolly, "Relax. Once I take this, you won't see me around again."

"I meant, stay away from Theodore-period." Isabella's eyes narrowed. "She must've been confused-giving you that brooch. It was never meant for you. It's mine, and deep down, you know that. You're just the ex-wife clinging to what's no longer hers. Try not to embarrass yourself."

She looked at Victoria from above, the disdain in her gaze impossible to miss.

Her lips parted slightly, disbelief flashing across her face before turning to steel. She'd never sought conflict, but something inside her cracked..

A mocking smile slowly tugged at her lips. "For someone who acts so confident, you're awfully quiet about the truth. So tell me, Miss Waters-how long do you think your secrets will stay hidden? Sooner or later, they always crawl into the light."

Victoria continued, "Maybe one of these days, if I'm in a bad mood, I'll be the one to dig it all up. Let's see if you still get to keep that Best Actress crown then."

Isabella's face paled, panic flashing across her eyes. Without warning, she slapped Victoria across the face. "How dare you!"

Victoria didn't hesitate-she slapped her right back.

Isabella froze, clearly not expecting the hit.

The tension in the room was electric when Theodore came downstairs.

Isabella instantly shifted gears, stuffing down all her anger like it never existed. Sweet, gentle, doting mode: activated.

She walked over, cuddling up to him like she owned the place. "Theo, Victoria just came to pick up her stuff. She was just leaving."

Victoria wasn't planning to interfere, but hearing that made her roll her eyes. Why let Isabella have the upper hand? She looked Theodore straight in the eye. "I need to talk to you."

He didn't even blink. "Isabella, I'll have the driver take you home."

Her smile stiffened. Was he seriously kicking her out for Victoria?

She quietly let go of his arm. "Fine."

She didn't even bother changing, just threw on a coat and walked out, clearly trying to hold back her temper but not quite pulling it off.

And for once, Theodore didn't go chasing after her.

That surprised Victoria. She wasn't expecting him to pick sides.

Once Isabella was gone, she didn't waste time. "Gina passed away. The funeral's the day after tomorrow. My dad wants you to come with me."

Theodore didn't react much. He leaned back lazily on the couch, uninterested.

Instead of answering, he tossed out a condition.

"Grandma's health isn't stable. Any bad news could hurt her. I need you to keep pretending-for three months. After that, I'll tell her we're divorced."

So that's why he sent Isabella away.

Victoria paused for a second, then nodded. "Alright."

The brooch at her collar glinted as she turned, and something shifted in Theodore's expression-darker, unreadable. Victoria noticed. Wordlessly, she reached for it, ready to take it off and give it back.

"I did refuse it, but Grandma insisted. Still, I think it should go back to its rightful owner."

Hearing that, Theodore grew a bit annoyed. Did she really hate having anything to do with the Chambers family that much?

His eyes, cold and sharp, landed on the necklace around her neck. Three years, and he's never seen her take it off. She clearly cherished it. Probably a gift from Elijah.

His face turned darker. Voice low and a little stiff, he said, "Keep it. Since we're still putting on the act, let's do it properly. Otherwise Grandma might get suspicious."

His mood kept shifting in weird ways, but Victoria didn't bother figuring him out. When love's gone, there's nothing left to care about.

As she was about to go, he spoke again. "Sooner or later, someone'll catch on if you move out. If the media gets hold of it and Grandma sees, it'll hit her even harder. For now, just stay here."

Divorced, yet she still had to face all the ghosts of their past in this house?

The couch. The balcony. The bedroom.

Every inch of this place whispered of their once-crazy intimacy.

Funny, really. He never loved her, yet in those three years, he played the role of a decent husband.

Everything but love-she'd had all of it.

"Problem?"

Victoria shook her head. "Just make sure Isabella is taken care of. Don't need more drama."

That night, she quietly carried her comforter to the guest room, leaving the master bedroom to Theodore.

Sleep didn't come easy. The night felt long and messy. She lay wide awake.

By the time she opened her eyes, it was already nine. Normally, Theodore would be at the office by now, so she didn't bother changing-just padded downstairs in her pajamas to grab a glass of milk from the kitchen.

Then, she heard the faint creak of the front door. Someone was coming in.

"Theodore," came Isabella' voice.

Startled, Victoria's brain short-circuited, and she instinctively ducked into the kitchen.

The man strolled lazily downstairs. From where he was, he easily spotted her trying to hide.

The corner of his mouth tugged up in amusement, but he didn't say anything.

Beaming, Isabella walked up with a lovingly packed breakfast in hand. Her voice sugary sweet, she said, "Someone didn't bother sweet-talking me, so I had to do it myself. Even made some smoked salmon bagel this morning to win your heart."

It was the kind of teasing intimacy between lovers-something Victoria had never even dared to hope for.

"Aren't you worried about the paparazzi? Could mess up your career, Miss Waters."

She giggled. "What, you can't afford to take care of me, Chambers?"

As she spoke, she leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his waist, even playfully nibbling on his chin.

Theodore's gaze flicked toward the kitchen, his brow creasing a little.

Victoria leaned against the fridge, hearing every mushy word from the living room. Her chest felt suffocating. She took another sip of milk, lips twitching.

Straight-up self-inflicted misery.

A while later, Theodore made up some excuse and had someone escort Isabella out.

"She's gone. You can come out now."

Victoria stepped out from the kitchen, looking up to find him staring at her with a slightly smug expression.

"Why were you hiding?"

"Didn't feel like dealing with your darling sweetheart. Figured I'd give you two lovebirds your moment."

He said nothing, but his gaze dropped to the milk on her lips. His throat tightened suddenly, remembering the heat of that one wild night.

That mental image came way too fast, and this time, logic didn't stop it.