Chapter 1
Heartbreak
Veronica’s POV
He is laughing with her again.
I stood outside Carter’s office, gripping the tray of coffee and muffins so tightly that my fingers ached.
Through the glass wall, I could see him sitting across from Meghan, his first love.
His laughter echoing faintly in the air, deep and warm, the kind of laugh I hadn’t heard from him in… I couldn’t even remember how long.
Did he ever laugh like that with me? I wasn’t sure.
I clenched my jaw, fighting the sting of tears.
It was our third wedding anniversary today, not that Carter remembered.
Not that he ever cared.
I was his secretary in name, his wife in title only.
But I wished he would only just forget it and not spend it giggling with another woman.
Or maybe I was the other woman because they looked like the perfect couple.
“Do you remember that one time we went bowling? When you couldn’t even hit a single pin for the life of you?” Meghan’s pitchy voice rang out.
“Okay, now you’re exaggerating. That is not how I remember it!” Carter defended with a light chuckle, tears pricked my eyes.
Since Meghan returned to the country two months ago, everything has changed. Carter, who was always distant but at least polite, now treated me like I didn’t exist. Meghan was always around, using the pretence of “cooperation” to cling to him, and Carter let her.
I could only keep hurting in silence cause what could I say? Our marriage had been a mistake from the start, forcedly by circumstance rather than love. Yet I was so happy to marry my crush even though he was just doing his grandfather’s bidding.
Still, I had hoped. Hoped that three years might soften his heart, that maybe he’ll notice how much I loved him. But watching him now, so carefree with Meghan, my hope seemed more foolish than ever.
I watched as Meghan tilted her head, flashing him that perfect, coy smile. He leaned closer, his face soft with amusement. My chest tightened painfully. I told myself to walk away, to stop torturing myself.
But when I heard Meghans voice again, loud and flirtatious, “Oh, K!You haven’t changed one bit and I like it”
It was followed by another groan of laughter from Carter, I couldn’t take it anymore.
Before I knew it, I was opening the door. Their gazes immediately snapped at me, and I felt like an intruder.
“Carter”, I called out, trying to sound calm even though my voice trembled a bit, “I need to talk to you. It’s urgent”.
The laughter stopped. Carter turned to me, his expression hardening instantly. “Veronica!”, he said sharply, “I’m busy. Can’t it wait?”.
My heart clenched tightly. Wow! He was really busy indeed.
Meghan, seated gracefully in her chair, smirked. “Oh, Carter, let her speak. I’m sure it’s important”, she said, her tone dripping with mock sweetness.
I ignored her, though it took every ounce of self control in me. “I won’t take much of your time”, I said, my voice quieter now.
Carter sighed, leaning back in his chair. “Fine. What is it?”, his voice was dripping with annoyance.
Meghan stood, brushing imaginary lint from her dress. “I’ll step out and give you two some privacy” she said lightly.
But as she passed me, she bumped into my arm, knocking the teacup from my hand, whispering
“You can pretend to talk to him all you want but in the end, he’ll come running back to the woman he loves. He always does”.
The porcelain shattered on the floor, tea splashing across my shoes and hand. Meghan immediately let out a fake cry even though only a little of it splashed on her wrist – that is if it did at all.
“Why would you do that?!” She cried out.
“I know you don’t like me but why would you go this far to prove your point?” She added a look of sorrow and hurt on her face.
I stared at her, my hands trembling from the heat seeping through my skin.
I was the one hurt, and she was the one screaming after bumping into me intentionally? She easily smirked at me since her back was facing Carter.
Before I could respond, Carter’s voice cut through the tension.
“What’s going on?” he demanded, standing abruptly from where he was previously seated.
Meghan turned to him with teary, innocent eyes. “Veronica bumped into me, but it’s fine. I don’t want to make a big deal out of it. I’ll just go to the hospital”.
“That’s not true,” I said, my voice sharp. “She was the one…”
“Enough!” Carter snapped, his voice like a slap and I flinched.
“Why can’t you just let things go for once? Even if she did something wrong to you, pouring hot coffee on her isn’t the right way to go about it! Apologize to Meghan right now!”.
I blinked, stunned. He didn’t even let me explain myself, but he was quick to take her words over mine. He didn’t even bother to check if I was fine.
“ Apologize?” My voice cracked slightly. “Carter, I didn’t do anything wrong”.
Carter’s jaw tightened, his eyes cold.
“I don’t have time for this, Veronica. Apologize now!”
“It’s okay, Carter. Please don’t fight her over me. I’m used to being bullied,” Meghan sniffled and I stared at her in disbelief.
“I didn’t do anything! You bumped into me!” I tried to defend myself.
“I’m not going to ask you again,”
Carter growled. “Do it and move on”.
My chest tightened, and I felt a hot tear slide down my cheek. I quickly wiped it away, not wanting to cry in front of them. “Move on?”I whispered, my voice trembling.
“Carter, I’m not just your secretary. I’m your wife. Are you really going to take the words of a stranger over mine?”.
The room fell into silence. Meghan looked smug, her arms crossed, while Carter’s face darkened.
“You’re only my wife because of a mistake,” he said flatly.
His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I had always known our marriage wasn’t built on love, but hearing him say it out aloud, so coldly, so carelessly, made the hurt more unbearable.
