Later that evening, Vincent returned as promised, showing up unexpectedly at Elena's office, yet she didn't need an informant to alert her of his presence.

She could already hear the regular squeal of her coworkers as they fangirled over her good-looking husband.

It was the first time he was coming to pick her up, in months instantly knew it was because of the text.

Vincent stood with his legs crossed against his sleek black car, surrounded by his usual entourage of guards.

The handsome sight of the man, which usually caused a flutter of butterflies in her belly, only made Elena feel burdened.

No matter how she tried, she couldn't look at him the same way. How could he do that with the one person that had always been the source of their problems?

Ever since Claire returned from her study abroad two years ago, their marriage had fallen into jeopardy.

'Meet my childhood friend Elena. We've just reconnected.' Her husband had introduced but it took less than a week for her to see that their relationship meant more.

Forcing on a well-practised smile, she approached him.

"Hey... how do you know to come here?"

Vincent shrugged, leaning in to give her a small kiss, which Elena stylishly avoided.

There was no need to accept it when she knew it was for paparazzi.

If he felt offended by the action, he didn't let it show as he pulled open the door. "I want to take you out for dinner to apologise for the mix-up.

That's all.

He didn't even try to explain himself.

Why should there be a mix up at all? Do you know I got the note too?

Elena wanted to say but decided against it. His actions left her stomach in knots; she felt disgusted but she knew that was not the place to hash things out, so she quietly got into the car.

By the time they reached, it was a familiar fancy sushi restaurant—the one they had their first-anniversary celebration.

Elena felt a flutter of hope.

Was he trying to make up for missing their anniversary yesterday?

But as soon as they were escorted in, it all crashed.

Her eyes met a sly fair figure sitting prettily in a beautiful red dress as she welcomed them with a smile.

"Hi, Elena and Vincent bestie." The woman winked.

The sound of the pet name that Elena normally would overlook made her skin crawl. She couldn't hide her discomfort and glared at the woman.

"What is Claire doing here?"

Was it not enough that they were sneaking behind her back? Such a brazen act!

"She doesn't want to have dinner alone, so I invited her."

As always when it came to Claire, her husband downplayed the seriousness of the scenario and walked in. "Why don't you sit?"

"No!" She refused. "I thought you said you wanted to apologise. Shouldn't it be about what I want?"

Vincent's jaw ticked, a telltale of his upcoming irritation.

"It's just a dinner Elena. Why are you being selfish?"

Selfish?

She couldn't believe his words.

He was the selfish one for bringing his mistress here in disguise.

"Just a dinner? You really do not remember, do you?" She inquired and he frowned, confused at the underlying meaning behind her words.

However, Elena was already used to being disappointed, so when he came up short, the hurt felt natural.

In a bid to clear up the air, Claire piped up

"Vincent abandoned all work to be here for you. Don't be insensitive, Elena."

"Yes. You're too uptight." Her husband seconded the motion.

Elena couldn't stop the dry laugh that flew out from her lips.

How shameless of them? They were going to make her into 'the fool'. If this was the game they really wanted to play; so be it!

"You're right." She took a seat as the servers brought in their dishes, "I think the baby is starving anyway."

Deciding to take advantage of the situation as she hadn't had anything to eat all day, Elena stuffed herself in silence, pressing down the whirlwind of emotions that kept threatening to burst out at every laugh and giggle that came out of the two.

"Oh, Vincent. I feel stuffed." Claire loudly called after a while. "Why don't you place them on Elena's plate instead?"

Looking up for the first time since she began to have her meal, Elena saw that Vincent had been dressing the fish for his best friend. His ears flushed a bright red as he realised that his pregnant wife should've been his priority.

Another blow to the heart.

"Don't worry about me." She waved them off. "After all, this dinner is also to apologise to Claire."

Vincent let out a frustrated sigh; like she was being unnecessarily difficult again.

"What is it this time, Elena?"

She gave him a naive-looking smile.

"I got Claire's basket just as she got mine; am I wrong?"

He spluttered, unsure of how to reply to that; however, Claire did as she pulled on a smug smile.

"Oh, don't worry. I usually get it in all the flavours. The delivery man made a mistake thinking both orders were for me as before."

Elena's face paled, staring at her husband who was doing his possible best to avoid her gaze.

It took him two weeks to get her a basket she had been craving, but he had been getting it for Claire?

Did he even see her as his wife anymore?

She had always seen through Claire's fake innocent actions... her obvious spite to show off that she had all Vincent's attention.

The previous Elena would battle her with words and fight for her marriage, but she felt exhausted. All the fighting she'd been doing for years, had amounted to nothing.

Her mind was dead set.

If they wanted to be together, they were free to do so.

Done with her food, she placed a small white gift bag on the table, grateful that she had decided to take it along to work.

Elena pushed it towards her husband.

"It's for you; take it."

Vincent eyed the bag suspiciously.

"What's the occasion?"

"Our fifth anniversary was yesterday." She said like it didn't mean anything, watching as his hand twitched for a second.

He really forgot...

Nodding towards it, she encouraged.

"This is from me. Go on, open it."

Tentatively picking it up, Vincent looked into the bag, his eyes widening in recognition as they met the black lacy underwear.

The moment his gaze returned to Elena's questioning ones, he knew he had been caught.

In a split second, the guilty look on Vincent's face changed into a hard one.

"Now I can drop the pretense."

Elena was taken aback.

"The pretence?"

"Yes." He replied with cold indifference "I don't feel comfortable around you anymore. You've changed Elena. Just because you're pregnant doesn't mean you should be fat."

Elena looked down at herself.

Fat? Her bump was barely showing. From her last visit to the hospital, even the doctor complained of her losing too much weight and that it wasn't healthy for the baby.

Her eyes darted to Claire who had excitement flashing across her eyes.

Had he gotten so used to having his hands around her that he'd forgotten she was always like this?

"Is that something you should be saying to me?" She asked in disbelief.

"I'm being honest." Vincent sniffed. "Would you rather I lie to your face? I have decided—until you deliver the child, Claire will attend all functions with me. Be grateful she agreed to take your place."

Each word he spewed was like a dagger to her heart.

"I never asked her to do so!"

"Elena!"

"Was that why you slept with her? I saw you last night Vincent. I know you didn't travel."

Vincent looked away, as though it wasn't a big deal. "You would've saved yourself the hurt if you didn't stalk me! Whatever you're imagining did not happen."

Elena could hardly believe her ears,

Was he going to deny it till the end? After she'd presented the evidence?

"Vi—

"What do you expect me to say?" He snapped, going back to his usual cold self. "Yes. I slept with Claire once and it won't happen again. It was in the heat of the moment."

In the heat of the what?

"But I'm your wife."

Vincent ignored her, rising to his feet as his phone began to ring, "I need to pick up this call."

Immediately, the door closed behind him; Claire let out a mocking laugh, dropping her innocent facade completely.

"I guess we can openly show our love now. I'm tired of hiding."

Elena clenched her trembling fist, refusing to show the home wrecker how hurt she was.

"What love?” She berated. “You've only brought distress into our lives since the moment you came. Why do you want to ruin my home?"

The only thing she got in reply was a sinister laugh as Claire taunted,

"How can I ruin what is already ruined?

****

Elena didn't speak anymore. Even when Vincent returned and suggested they drop Claire off before going home, she only hummed in agreement.

It wasn't like he was going to listen if she opposed it.

On the drive home, the silence was deafening, and Vincent kept glancing her way, yet she didn't acknowledge him. Her actions made him feel uncomfortable, that he blurted,

"Are you still mad at me?"

Mad?

What was the use of being mad when she was leaving anyway?

Elena lightly laughed, giving him a cold reply, "What's there to be mad about? You said it won't happen again."

Vincent grumbled as the uncomfortable silence continued. After a few minutes, he threw a turquoise jewellery box into her lap.

"Well, I got this for you. You can call it the anniversary gift you want. "

Elena opened the box to see the most beautiful dainty gold bracelet and her eyes flashed in recognition as she remembered seeing the exact design but in diamond on Claire's wrist a moment ago.

She had come second again.

This was his method of apologizing. Whenever he did something wrong, he'd spoil her with expensive gifts.

He wanted her to play along again? So be it.

Feigning fascination, Elena plastered a weak smile on her face, "I love it. Thank you."

But Vincent could sense the obvious dryness of her empty words.

"What is wrong with you? Why are you being so cold?" He asked but Elena remained quiet.

How could she act like nothing was wrong?

Her husband had not just openly confessed to cheating with his so-called best friend and asked her to deal with it but also made her feel worthless in comparison to her.

Who would be fine knowing they had wasted five years of their life with a man who was this cruel?

Thankfully, the car came to a halt as they arrived at their home, and Elena got out without saying a word.

It wasn't like she had anything to say in reply, the previous times she'd voiced out her complaints, it resulted in fights where he threw words like

'You're being unreasonable.'

'Claire is just a friend.'

'You're the one who's insecure.'

A pang still shot through her anytime she remembered his hurtful words from the last and final fight they had:

'Why do you keep suspecting me of being with Claire? I wouldn't be with you any more if I wanted her. You're just complaining because you're greedy and do not want my attention on someone else. Don't I spoil you enough?"

It'd taken weeks for the tears not to flow at the recollection of those disheartening words. The fight had ended with him stumbling into her room drunk.

Elena had finally thought it was the end of all their fights. Now she knew it was only the beginning.

Only a fool would believe his words about it happening once. The underwear in the car explained that much.

Vincent harshly gripped her wrist as she was about to walk into their home.

"Aren't you going to say anything?"

Elena's sad eyes met his as she forced a faint smile.

"I'm tired. Let's talk another time."

"Fine! Do what you want!

He snarled, storming into their home.

Elena watched him walk away in anger... her entire world crumbling as she knew there wouldn't be another time.

After spending most of the night in his study on a call with Claire, Vincent finally came to bed. He walked into the room quietly with slumped shoulders, still holding onto the tension from before like Elena hadn't heard him laughing over the phone some seconds ago.

For a while, he stood over her sleeping form, until he abruptly turned towards the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind him.

Elena exhaled deeply.

In their early years, he would have asked that she join him. Those were days when their marriage was still burning with rigorous love.

Now, it felt far-fetched.

The memory only made her desperate to leave. So before she slept that night, she sent a confirmation text to the now-familiar number.

'We should proceed as soon as possible. I am ready whenever you are.'

Morning came, and as they sat for breakfast, Vincent barely acknowledged her, acting like she didn't exist as he typed incessantly on his phone.

It was another ploy of his. One he resorted to if his manipulation and excessive gifting didn't work.

He'd deliberately act upset, giving shirt clipped answers until she apologies.

During their years of marriage, Elena couldn't count the number of times she'd apologised for something that wasn't her fault.

Things would be different this time. Clearing her throat, she began,

"My exhibition is tonight. Would you be there?"

Vincent waved his hands dismissively, not taking his eyes off the phone.

"Exhibition for what?"

His question stung.

She had informed him about it thrice in the past weeks. Still, Elena didn't argue and instead, took a deep, calming breath.

"Have you forgotten? I will be displaying my new work collection at the gallery this evening."

He shrugged, still not regarding her, "I have work."

"Can't it wait? This is important to me."

It wasn't like she wanted him there, but as an orphan who had no friends, he was the only one available to support her.

But Vincent exploded in her face.

"It's just an exhibition, isn't it? Must I be there? Why are you acting so spoiled?" Opening his wallet, he threw a couple thousand notes on the table. "I do not need to be there. Use the money to get yourself some flowers."

Elena didn't think after all he'd done, his words or actions could still pierce her heart.

Did he think it was all about the money?

Vincent knew how important her art was to her. She had spent months preparing for this, but he just brushed it off like it was nothing.

"I do not need your money." She weakly protested yet he didn't spare her a glance. Excusing himself to go use the restroom.

She couldn't help herself and took a peek at his phone, wondering what it was that made him so occupied.

As she read through the chat, the easy flow and blatant flirting, she didn't need to check the contact to know it was Claire's.

Her heart clenched the lower she went, and was just about to drop the phone when the next text came in.

'Thanks for agreeing to come with me tonight, Vincent. What would I do without you?'

Elena stared blankly at the words.

She anticipated the usual heaviness and throbbing ache, but it was only for a fleeting moment. Then an unknown emptiness took over.

Her heart raced, a feeling of detachment enveloped her.

At least now she knew why he wouldn't be available tonight.

Without waiting for his return, she left for work, determined to make use of the opportunity of his absence. The first thing Elena did as she arrived was to send out a special invitation.

Vincent wouldn't be there tonight, so it was the only place she could set everything up without the prying eyes of too many guards.

As the day was swept up in preparation for the exhibition, Elena felt nervous as she waited. The exhibition came as a successful one, making her proud. A lot of pieces were sold, and comments about how good her works were floated around, but they didn't satisfy the void in her heart.

'You're living a life that anyone would die for, Mrs Lopez. The wife of a respected businessman and a talented artist, how do you feel?'

A reporter had asked, and Elena smiled sweetly as the lie easily flowed from her lips.

'It feels awesome.'

No one knew of the struggles she was facing. They all envied a charade. All except for one person.

"If your marriage is so joyful, why do you want to bring your husband down?" A cold voice inquired as the last of the guests left.

The moment Elena's eyes met the tall huge figure standing behind her, they widened.

Her special guest had come.

A man she would never have found the courage to approach until a few days ago.

"Mr. Alejandro. You came."

The man frowned.

"I wanted to see the brave woman who wants to join hands with her husband's rival."

Alejandro eyed her suspiciously, wondering if it was determination or plain stupidity.

The entire country knew of his long-time feud with Vincent Lopez and how much they hated one another, but she wanted to join hands with him.

"I didn't expect you to honour my invitation, but I had no other options. We need to discuss the plan." Elena said honestly.

"The plan?" He chuckled darkly. "Being here doesn't mean I would work with you. Why would I want to join hands with an ally of my enemy?"

"I am no longer an ally. I want to leave Vincent, and there's no way he'd let me go easily. You have to help me." She pleaded.

He smirked at her words, "Why do you think I can help you?"

"You're the most feared man in the country; your mafia doubles Vincent's. If anyone can, it is you. I promise to help you in return. Just get me out of that home."

Alejandro scrutinised her for a few seconds; her boldness was commendable and he concluded that Vincent must have done something terrible for her to be this desperate, but it wasn't his business.

His eyes glanced at her tiny bump, a quiet thought suddenly occurring to him.

Perhaps, she could be of help to him.

He had been searching for a way to avoid his grandmother's match making. Elena's pregnancy would play a large role in convincing her.

So with a dark look, he announced.

"I'll help you—if you be my fake fiancé for two months."