Chapter 3 Bad decision

VICTORIA

I stared at Simon, my heart clenching in anger and irritation as what happened early that morning haunted my mind.

He suddenly stopped eating and looked up, his brows raising in question.

“You aren't eating?” he asked, pretending to be concerned.

I looked at the empty plate before me, my lips curving into a knowing smile.

“I don't have that appetite,” I muttered.

“Okay,” he replied and faced down.

I glared hatefully at him, the fork in my hand threatening to break as the thongs bent slowly.

“You did not forget, did you?” I asked, and he paused, raising his eyes to look at me.

“Forget what?”

“Last night…” I paused and suddenly changed my question.

“Do you remember the people who attacked you?” I asked, and his head jolted up, his eyes darkening.

“Attack? What are you talking about?” he asked.

I chuckled and let go of the fork, brushing my hair back. So, it was a lie? He was never attacked? It was all a lie!

“Nothing.”

He huffed loudly and continued his breakfast. I stared silently at him, my chest burning up. This was too much for me to bear all alone.

I stood up and picked up my bag, slinging it over my shoulders.

“You’re leaving?”

I paused and looked at him. Irritation was gnawing inside of me, but I tried so hard to hide it. I couldn't even shield my anger and pain with a smile as I used to. I was tired of pretending to be happy even though I wasn't.

“Yes, I have to get back to work early,” I muttered and turned around, sick of looking at his disgusting face.

“Hold on,” he called, and I craned my neck back.

“About the anniversary last night, I will make it up to you… somehow.”

I simply nodded my head and turned, walking out of the house without a second glance at him.

I couldn't stop thinking about how it all came to this. He loved me, that was what it felt like some years ago. He would always promise even the heavens to me. He swore that our love would be an eternal kind of love. But since last year, he had been acting differently. From coming home late to frequently talking about babies. He would always want from me but never reciprocate.

For the first time since I married Simon, I questioned my decisions. I rejected my family’s warnings and agreed to be with him despite the fact that he was never on any of my brothers’ level when it came to wealth and recognition. I chose him at the expense of my family.

After everything, this was what I would get in return?

A hard knock on my window caused me to jerk up, snapping out of the deep thoughts I was in.

I looked at the window and sighed before rolling it down.

“Are you okay?” Silas asked, his eyes filled with concern as he stared at me. I forced a smile on my face and nodded while unbuckling my seatbelt.

He shifted away, and I stepped out of the car, unable to retain the smile on my face.

“You look unwell. Is this about your husband?” he asked. I wished.

“No, he is fine, I am just tired,” I mumbled.

Silas’s lips curved into a mischievous smile, and he nodded.

“I understand, it's an anniversary we are talking about,” he said, chuckling. I wanted to laugh along with him, but I didn't have the strength to do it.

We walked into the CID building and took the elevator to our department, the special investigation unit. I tried to flash a smile at everyone we walked by as much as I could.

“What did your husband say about attackers?” Silas asked, and my heart skipped.

“It wasn't them. He didn't see them with anyone,” I blurted out. Silas narrowed his eyes.

“You are going to file a complaint, right?” He asked as we approached the door to our office.

“Yes, I will,” I muttered even though I knew I wouldn't.

“Happy anniversary!” I jumped back as balloons popped and showered glitter on me the moment Silas opened the door.

My eyes widened, and a smile finally sneaked onto my face as I stared at my colleagues.

“Happy anniversary, pumpkin,” Roseanne, the only female detective in the department, aside me, said.

She stepped forward and then pulled me into a hug.

“The boss planned it all,” she whispered into my ear and pulled. I smiled and looked at our boss as he stared at me from a corner, his lips stretched into a smile.

“Oh, thank you so much, everyone,” I said, clasping my hands together in gratitude as tears lurked around my eyes. There was nothing to be happy about considering the anniversary, but they were able to put a real smile on my face.

I greeted my boss and my two other colleagues before heading to my desk, the smile disappearing again.

“Enough of the celebration now, we need to get to work. We have a lot on our hands,” our boss, mr Thompson, said, and everyone gathered around the large round table where meetings were mostly held.

“I guess you have been updated on the recent murder cases, Victoria,” He said, looking at me. I nodded my head, smiling lightly. He nodded, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

Her bent close, placing his hands on the table while staring at us through his spectacles.

“A gruesome murder occurred in the city some hours ago, a mother and her children. Now, we can't tell if the husband, who could be the killer or a victim, is still alive or dead,” he muttered, and my belly knotted.

“Well, if he is the killer, then he must surely be alive, and if he is the prey, then… his state cannot be predicted,” Kelvin, one of my colleagues, said, and the rest of them agreed.

“We need to begin a search for him. Only he can help us solve this mystery and find the psychopath who did this to such a loving family…”

I slowly retreated away from reality and the conversation and began to ponder how I would find the truth that I had been searching for. If the car wasn't stolen like he claimed, then where could it be?

I also needed to find out who she is. Was it because I couldn't give him children? This was our third wedding anniversary, it wasn't even so late to bother so much about children.

But…

“Mrs Armstrong?”

Kelvin’s cold hand on my shoulder forced me back to the meeting. I looked at our boss, and my heart sank when I saw the look of disappointment he had directed at me.

“I…”

“I don't think mrs Armstrong has anything to say. The meeting is over,” Thompson said and left the table.

I cursed silently as everyone retired to their desks, each with a task except me.

“Follow me, mrs Armstrong. Let's grab some coffee for everyone,” Mr. Thompson said and began to walk to the door.

I could feel the eyes of everyone on me as I trailed after him out of the office. I expected him to start talking about my constant zoning off while we rode in the elevator, but he didn't. Neither did he say anything as we walked along the corridors of the building and on the street that led to the coffee shop.

“I am sorry, sir…”

He raised his hand, cutting me off.

“I could tell you were troubled at the first glance at you this morning,” he said, and my brows raised. Was it that obvious?

“Take your time and think as much as you can while I grab the coffee. I am pretty sure you don't want to talk about it yet, and I'm sure you can solve whatever you are facing alone,” he said and squeezed my shoulders before disappearing into the coffee shop nearby. I stared at the door for a while, dazed.

Yes, he was right, I could solve this problem on my own. That was what I thought as I pulled out my phone and dialed the number of Simon’s best friend.

My heart raced as I waited for him to answer the call. Only he could give me the answer that I needed.

“Hey, Jeremy!” I blurted out when the lines connected.

“Vicky?”

“Yes.”

“Congratulations on your wedding anniversary,” Jeremy said, chuckling.

“Thank you,” I mumbled.

“Why did you suddenly call?” he asked after a long stretch of silence.

“Oh, uhm… please, when did my husband leave the office yesterday? I sent a flower to him, but it didn't reach him,” I muttered.

“Ah, maybe you sent it after the closing time. He left the company three hours before the closing time,” he said, and my heart sank.

“So, he wasn't in the company till midnight?” I blurted out subconsciously.

“Midnight? Simon never stays past the closing hour,” Jeremy said.

This had been going on for years?

I gasped loudly, and the phone dropped from my hand as my head swirled in circles. I held my forehead, feeling the sting of betrayal deep in my heart.

How could he do this after all the sacrifices I made for his sake? How?

Have I been living in a lie all this time? I gave the only properties I had to him, I gave up my family for him, and I gave up a luxurious life and several properties for his sake.

As I staggered like an intoxicated woman, I realized that Simon never loved me. I had made a bad decision that was sure to ruin me.

My shaking legs gave way to the ground, and I began to drop down, but a pair of strong hands grabbed me before I could reach the ground.