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."
