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?

As soon as Vincent stepped out of her new room, Elena reached out to Alejandro.

"The thing we planned, you can go ahead."

For the first time in months, she slept without any worry.

****

It wasn't until two days later that Vincent decided on the date for the vacation. It was a typical Thursday morning when he announced, as Elena walked into the kitchen to him massaging Claire's feet.

"I'll be free this weekend. Why don't we leave first thing tomorrow morning?"

Her heart skipped a beat.

Tomorrow was the day she would be going over to his rival.

Struggling to give away anything, an awry smile graced Elena's face. "Must we leave tomorrow?"

Vincent eyed her with a bored look, "I'm only free this weekend. And so is Claire. You have to make time." He stated, leaving no room for arguments, then turned to his best friend turned mistress.

"That's fine with you, baby?"

Claire was the new 'baby'? How magnificent!

As much as she tried to hide it, Elena could see the contented smile on Claire's face. She was getting bolder by the day.

"Maybe we should listen to Elena.” She pouted. The plane's full, so I won't be able to get a ticket anyway."

Vincent dismissed the theory like it was a bluff, "That won't be a problem. Elena got two tickets for both of us. You can use hers."

Elena shook her head slowly, disbelief crossing her face.

How come she never noticed she was this worthless?

Vincent gauged her reaction, "Don't overthink like you always do. I paid the change of date fee yesterday, and there were no extra seats on the plane. It is for your good. Didn't you say you felt choked yesterday?" He said curtly, quoting the exact words she said when she refused to have dinner with them last night.

Then opened his wallet and pushed a small envelope towards her. It was a 10-hour train ticket for Paris.

"I got you this. You'll be able to actively breathe in enough fresh air while taking in the view. Do you object to it?"

Object to it? How could she? He just made her work a lot easier.

"Of course not." She kept up the act, "Claire can have my ticket. I'll meet you both there. Can I go in now?"

Seeing that he had gotten what he wanted, Vincent didn't spare her another glance, waving her way.

His nonchalance didn't get to Elena.

The first thing she did when she got into her room was to pull out three boxes. One for all the expensive gifts he'd gotten her. One for her wedding gown, ring, and every other thing that made her Mrs Lopez, and the last one for the things she'd be taking with her—her things.

Sorting out the boxes wasn't as hard as she expected it to be. Elena relived every memory she had shared with her husband for the past five years, yet her joy level remained high.

All that remained was to update Alejandro so she picked up her phone,

"Leaving tomorrow. Are you ready? Is the plan to fake my death all set?" She questioned making sure everything was intact.

"Yes. Be at the airport by 10 am tomorrow." He grunted before disconnecting the call.

Alejandro's coldness didn't make her feel bad. Coming from a man she expected nothing of, it felt better than coming from her husband.

Early the next morning, Elena acted like all was fine. Bringing out her bags and preparing a car that would take her around the train station.

Vincent glanced at his watch.

"It's 8 am, so I'll see you at the hotel by 8 pm. If you're late, I won't foot your travel expenses!" He boomed and Claire stifled a cough.

"Better still, get lost and never return."

Elena's eyes trailed behind their car waiting till it blended with the scenery.

“I'll grant your wish this time.” She said to herself.

Immediately, she placed a call to the hotel she had booked.

"Is that a La France place? I'd like to cancel my reservation for the luxury couple suite."

The receiver paused, "Are you sure, ma'am? Since it's abrupt, you won't get a refund."

"Don't worry." She smiled. "I won't be needing it."

There was no way she would let her money go to waste on those two.

Vincent might not know because he never really paid attention to her career but she wasn't broke and was doing very well for an artist.

And with that, she ended the call; handing over a long list of the things she'd like her bodyguard to move out.

The things she had bought with her own money.

She was going to erase every trace of herself from Vincent's life.

"I'm expecting some new furniture,” She lied to quench his suspicions, “... so the removal company will be here soon. Make sure all these are taken out. There are two boxes in my room labelled Claire and Charity. See to it that they're sent accordingly."

The confused guard could only stare.

Wasn't his boss's wife going on a trip? Why was she clearing up her stuff?

Nevertheless, he began to do as she instructed.

At exactly 9 o'clock, Elena walked out of the gilded cage she had spent five years in, pulling her suitcases behind her, not to the train station, but to the airport.

"All 10 am passengers for Paris; the plane would be taking off in thirty minutes. I repeat, all 10 am passengers for Paris; the plane would be taking off in thirty minutes." The speaker boomed as she headed for the first-class suite with an easy grin on her face.

She would definitely be going to Paris.

Not just with Vincent and Claire. Or for the same reason either.

And hopefully, when she returned,

Mrs Lopez would be dead to the world.