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.
