Chapter 22 – Alternative Considerations
Emelia’s POV
“L… I don’t know. I love Victor so much, despite everything that’s happened. He truly isn’t a bad man, it’s just…..‘
The cracks that formed in my heart made it so much easier for the doubt to creep in, even though I didn’t want it to. I did love Victor, but everything that’s been happening with Lily made it so hard for me to just forgive and forget.
Alexis sighed knowingly on the other end of the line. “You don’t have to figure it all out right now. Whatever you decide to do, you know I’m always here for you.”
“That’s why you’re the best, Alexis.”
“Oh, I know I am.” Alexis’s smile could even be felt through the phone. “And if you want, you can come crash at my place for a few days. I’d hate for you to be alone in a foreign city without anyone to look out for you.”
“You know what? I’d love that. We haven’t had a good sleep over in over a decade anyway.”
Her kindness and support was exactly what I needed right now. I was so tired of feeling like I was alone.
“Yay!” Alexis squealed. “Send me the address and I’ll pick you up ASAP!”
The next day came and Alexis was already at my hotel door, eagerly waiting to help me get my stuff loaded into her car. I was touched by her dedication and commitment. When she said she’d do something, she was serious about it!
It was what I needed in a best friend. It was what I wanted in Victor, to
As we were driving back home to her place, Alexis tapped my hand.
“Victor’s been calling me non–stop by the way.” She rolled her eyes.
“Oh no…” I laughed. “You’re not giving him trouble are you?”
too.
“I’m actually being a good girl.” She smiled. “I’ve been nice, but curt. I told him you’d been in good health, and that’s all he needed to know.”
“You might give him a heart attack with an answer like that!”
“Oh, don’t worry about him! Think of it like putting a child in timeout. He needs to learn that his actions have consequences anyway!”
I could only laugh at Alexis’s childish antics. Still, I agreed with her. Victor needed to know that his decisions of choosing Lily over me were going to have their consequences. Plus, I still needed time away from him.
After a long drive back to her house and getting settled, we found ourselves in the kitchen getting ready to plan
dinner.
“I have some leftover patties if you want to make some burgers!” Alexis called out.
“Mmm, I could use a good burger. I’ll grab the bread and condiments!”
Just as I was getting everything set up, I heard a phone go off. It wasn’t mine, but instead I saw it was Alexis’s. When I leaned over to see who it was, I saw Victor’s name and number.
I froze in place.
Alexis picked her phone up and answered the call. “Seriously? You’re calling again?”
Chapter 27 –– Alternative Conceratana
+25 BONUS
1 had to stifle my laughter. Is this what she meant by being friendly and curt? If so, we had different definitions for those two words. And while I couldn’t hear what Victor said, it wasn’t hard to conclude that he had been calling her non–stop over these past few days.
“Okay, and 1 get that you’re worried, but she’s allowed to take a break from you if that’s what she needs to do. Besides, I spoke with her recently. She’s fine.”
I couldn’t deny that Victor’s worried behavior was starting to make me feel a little conflicted. On one hand, I was glad to hear that he seemed to care so much about me and wanted to make sure I was okay. On the other hand, he’d already shown me very little
regard for my feelings when I needed it most.
How could I possibly know that this was any different?
“I need to talk to her, please.” Victor’s voice suddenly echoed in the kitchen.
Alexis had put the call on speaker as she rolled her eyes at me. “And you will once she’s back from Blasdell You know, the city you took her to and left her in?”
‘Don’t be ridiculous.” Victor’s voice had gone serious. “I know you drove down there.”
“What do you mean you knew I drove down there? That’s fucking creepy!
“You do know I’m from Blasdell, right? It’s not just some city–it’s my hometown. Which means I know people there. You don’t think my own people wouldn’t tell me when my wife suddenly decides to check out of our hotel with a blonde woman?”
Alexis looked at me with hesitation. She knew she had been caught but was still very much willing to lie for me.
I gave her a reassuring nod and took the phone off of the speaker. “Hi, Victor.”
“Emelia!” His voice was joyful and almost on the verge of tears. He cleared his throat to gather his composure before speaking again. “I’m so glad to finally hear from you. Are you okay?“”
“I’m fine, I promise.”
“I’m glad to hear your voice. Look, there’s been something I’ve been wanting to get off my chest. It’s about the photo you saw…
“We can talk about this later, Victor.” I kept my voice calm
I really wasn’t in any mood to hear about whatever excuses he had. I was just barely starting to recover from the emotional damage of these past few days. If anything, I didn’t really want to talk about it
“Em, please. I know you’re angry, but this is all just a misunderstanding. Really.”
It’s all that it ever seemed to be a misunderstanding Something that only I managed to do, apparently.
Suddenly, his words felt like a trigger and my anger ignited like a match being flicked onto oil
“How is it that these misunderstandings are only my fault? How the hell am I meant to misunderstand you kissing someone you’re adamant is only a “friend“? You’ve been using this so–called friendship to disguise the truth of your relationship with her, but I’m the one who’s misunderstanding?”
“Emelia”
“No! You’ve been lying to me, letting her bully me, and undermining my own marriage to you. Whose husband are you supposed to be, Victor?”
+25 BONUS
“What’s with the attitude? A sudden voice interjected. “You shouldn’t be treating Victor like this!”
My eyes widened in disbelief. Had Lily been listening in on us this entire time? Did he truly not understand that the root of our problems was right next to him? How far was he willing to let her go to invade our privacy?
“Shut your mouth!” I barked. “It must be so easy to pretend like none of what’s happening is because of you!”
ily’s voice trembled on the other line, as her voice became faint. Undoubtedly, she was seeking comfort in my husband. “We didn’t do anything wrong. Why is she being like this?”
I could almost picture Lily clinging onto Victor and crying in his arms. It made me fucking sick.
How about you see yourself out of a conversation between husband and wife? Learn to respect other people’s privacy for once!” I almost yelled.
*Em, don’t be so harsh. This isn’t her fault.”
It wasn’t Lily’s fault. It wasn’t Victor’s fault.
All the misunderstandings and blame somehow fell on me.
Hearing him pick her side again broke more parts of my heart than I wanted to endure tonight. I couldn’t calm its repid beating, even though it felt like it could break at any moment.
Through unshed tears and a trembling volce, I whispered in a barely audible tone: “Have you ever considered divorcing me?”
