"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?
