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."

"I'll call you in three days." Were Alejandro's last words as he exited the gallery.

Elena couldn't recall the last time she went home feeling so joyous. She didn't know why he wanted a fake fiancé nor did she care.

Wasn't it just for two months? A small price she would willingly pay for her freedom.

There was no ounce of guilt in her heart as she said 'yes' to his terms.

Upon getting home, Vincent was waiting with a teary-eyed Claire by his side. Elena didn't want anything to ruin her excitement, so she was going to walk past them to her room until his accusing words stopped her.

"Why are you so heartless? You can't even ask what's wrong."

Elena slowly turned around, she could still hear the spite from earlier in his voice.

Why would she ask when she didn't care?

Nevertheless, she pulled her lips into a firm line and gave him exactly what he wanted. "What is wrong?"

Vincent hugged Claire tighter.

"Claire's pregnant with my child."

Oh...

Elena waited for the searing pain to come.

And waited.

Then waited some more. Yet it didn't. She felt absolutely nothing about the news.

No joy. No sorrow. No anger. No pain.

Her eyes met her husband's hard ones as he anticipated her flare-up, but a wide grin graced her face.

"Congratulations. I wish you both a successful delivery."

Vincent's jaw slackened.

Was that all she was truly going to say? He had told her that it only happened once, yet she didn't point that out. It was then he realised that his wife was slipping away.

An idea struck Elena's mind.

"You know what? To make it easier for you, why don't I move out of our room? She even suggested, adding to his shock. "Claire can move in; from experience, the baby likes to be close to its father."

Claire perked up at her words.

She didn't understand why Elena wasn't feeling jealous, and although it angered her, she liked the idea.

"Would you do that for me?"

Elena glanced at the woman, keeping her voice steady to give nothing away. "Why not? After all, you're Vincent's dear friend. He always wants the best for you."

And then she walked into the room to move her things right out.

On her way home, she had brainstormed different excuses to move out of Vincent's room. If she was going to leave in three days, she needed to sort out her things.

Who knew such wonderful news would be awaiting her?

Later that night, when Elena heard a knock on her door, she instantly knew who it was.

"Elena. Let's talk."

Vincent demanded. She turned over to see his furrowed brows as he constantly ran his hand through his hair.

An action that characterised his agitated state.

"The pregnancy happened unexpectedly." He blurted out

"I know," Elena calmly replied. "You would never do that to me or our child on purpose."

His brow shot up, "You do?"

"Yes. You don't love Claire. Sleeping with her should've been a one-time thing, but it went further. It's my fault for not being attractive and being fat."

Her words gave him the courage to boost his manipulative ego, and he sat beside her, holding her hands in his.

"Don't be so harsh on yourself, baby."

Baby?

Elena wanted to cry out in laughter. He must feel cornered to use a pet name he hadn't used in months.

"No." She continued. "I know it's my fault, so I understand. If there's anything I can do to make it up to you both, tell me."

It was obvious that he came with an intention so she threw the bait, waiting for him to pick it up.

"Thank you, baby. Claire has been through a lot today, and I think she needs a break. Why don't we all go on a vacation?"

Elena bit her lips to hide her smile.

She'd been begging him for months to go on one, going as far as procuring a ticket and paying for the hotel with her hard-earned money, yet he kept refusing due to work reasons.

Now that Claire suggested it, he wants to?

She wanted to confront him; instead, she asked, "That would be nice. Where would we be going?"

Vincent placed a tender hand on her cheek, "Paris."

Momentarily dazed at his reply, Elena gaped at him.

He must've thought this through to pick the exact location she settled on before. After knowing how special Paris was to them, he still chose it? Could he go any lower?

Vincent silently waited for her reaction.

He was sure she wouldn't be happy with this, so when she gave him a small nod in agreement, he nearly doubled over.

"Okay. We should all go. The more, the merrier."

Was she truly fine with it or was it pretense?

As the words came out of her lips, Elena knew that everything she felt for her husband was long dead. It was a validation she never knew she needed.

Now, she could walk away without looking back.

"Would that be all?"

Vincent moved closer, the desire that had become so rare, evident in his hooded eyes. He laced his fingers with hers, each touch feeling like a needle pricking at her skin, and Elena already knew where it was going before it even started.

Her mind churned, looking for a quick escape and just before his lips touched hers, another knock resounded at the door.

"Vincent, are you in there? The baby doesn't want me to sleep by myself."

Instantly, Vincent's hands were off her faster than she could blink. At the sound of Claire's voice, he was stalking towards the exit, throwing a brief "Let's talk about it tomorrow." over his shoulder.

A bitter smile tugged at Elena's lips.

Was this what it meant to know where you belonged?