Emelia’s POV
Time slowed to an agonizing crawl as I felt the muscles in my body freeze. I couldn’t even think of anything smart to say.
Victor had never mentioned anything in the company belonging to Lily, much less the entity as a whole! There was nothing about the company that implied their connection, which was what confused me even more.
Lily noticed my shock and looked at me with a smug smile. “Actually, it’s not of your concern. Simply put, Victor is just too good to me. I mean, I understand you’re married and everything, but you don’t understand him like I do. Or maybe he just doesn’t value you that much?
“You’re not actually serious, are you?” I was almost unable to control my anger.
Lily shook her head. “Don’t speak to me in that manner, I’m simply telling the truth. You’ve known him for all of what? 3 years? Why do you think you know Victor like I do?”
“Lily!” Victor reprimanded. “That’s enough.”
“But…” Lily’s expression changed. She pouted her lip with tears welling at the base of her eyes. “I’m only looking out for you! I’m really not trying to cause any tension or stir trouble, I promise…”
Victor’s features relaxed as he patted Lily’s back. “I know you’re just looking out for me; it’s okay.”
And once again, all she had to do was pout and he forgave her. It was like an endless, annoying cycle.
I rubbed the sides of my head with my fingers and closed my eyes. This was giving me a headache.
What did she mean that the company was made for her? Just what kind of position did she actually hold? What other secrets could he be keeping from me?
As much as I wanted to ask those questions, I bit my tongue. The last thing I needed was to give Lily ammunition to ridicule me down the line. I was done with it.
“Are you two finished? If so, please leave.” I said abruptly. “Now.”
Victor placed a hand on Lily’s shoulder, “Em, I just—”
“Just leave.”
Victor sighed and gently urged Lily out before closing the door.
Once I was finally left alone, I sank back down on the same chair. Now I wanted nothing more than to go home and crawl into bed.
Work was supposed to be my safe haven, but the hurricane named “Lily” had destroyed it.
Lily’s words about the company being created for her ran rampant in my mind.
So… Has Victor’s hard work ever been towards our future?
For the first time in our years together, I wondered if Victor ever truly belonged to me. I wondered if his heart was mine, as mine was his.
A tightness coiled around my heart and threatened to take hold, but I forced the thoughts out of my head. I was at work, and that was what I needed to focus on. The company had a new flagship design after all.
As the hours ticked by and I was deep into my work, a sudden ring from the office phone jolted me from my focus.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Russo.” A polite female voice greeted me. It was Rosalie, Victor’s secretary.
Rosalie was the only one in the company who knew that I was married to Victor, yet her attitude towards me never changed. She had always been so kind, and kept true to her promise of keeping our marriage a secret.
“Mr. Russo has requested your presence at his office as soon as you’re available. He says the transfer agreement papers are ready for you to sign.”
Oh, so he didn’t go back on his word? Interesting.
Despite that, I’m glad that this opportunity to see him came. I knew what I wanted to ask him.
“Okay, tell him I’ll be there shortly.” I replied.
When I arrived at Victor’s office, he wasn’t there. On top of his desk sat a neat stack of paperwork. Out of curiosity, I flipped through them.
TRANSFER OF SHARES AGREEMENT.
Suddenly, strong arms gently enveloped my waist and pulled me into a gentle embrace. It was warm, and reassuring. The familiar feeling told me it was Victor.
I wanted nothing more than to feel safe and comforted in his arms, but I hadn’t forgotten why I was actually here.
“You need to tell me the truth, Victor. What’s the deal with this company and Lily? What happened between you and her?”
“It’s really not that complicated, Em. We’re just friends.” Victor started to explain. “Like I told you at the hospital, we almost got into a really bad accident when we were kids. We were playing by the river creek near our house—catching butterflies and collecting rocks. But the current grew out of control out of nowhere, and she saved my life by pulling me to safety. So, for her, butterflies hold a special meaning.”
The story was surprisingly… touching. It made me feel something beyond irritation and jealousy towards Lily. For once, I actually felt sympathy for her.
It made me understand more why Victor seemed to prioritize Lily a lot.
“So, if butterflies hold that kind of meaning for her, why did you choose it as the symbol for the company?”
“That’s a completely different story. I was standing right outside of this very building, at my wit’s end trying to get a loan approved when I happened to see a monarch butterfly land in a flowerpot next to me. It was then that I found the strength to try one more bank for a loan, and they ended up expediting my process to get it approved. That was the first step in my career, so it felt right to name the company after that butterfly.”
Victor gave me a half-smile. “I know I still hold onto a lot of guilt for what happened to Lily. But what I do for her doesn’t change that you are the most important person in my life now, okay?”
Victor wrapped his arms around me and pulled me in gently, and placed a tender kiss against my lips.
I couldn’t resist him despite how mad he made me before, as I wrapped my arms around his broad shoulders and kissed him back.
As my defenses melted, I turned to his desk and grabbed a pen. In smooth writing, I signed the transfer agreement with ease.
Victor’s smile was soft. “I”m sorry for everything. I’ve been ignoring you and just being a crappy husband. After tomorrow’s Gala dinner, I promise to take you out—just me and you.”
“I’m going to hold you to that promise.” My smile widened as his reassurance and sweet words wrapped around me like a blanket.
Victor’s lips tilted up into a smirk, as his eyes ran down my body.
Just as the warmth of happiness soothed my nerves, Victor’s text tone rang repeatedly. When he pulled out his phone, my eyes narrowed and suddenly the room went cold.
A flurry of text messages flooded Victor’s notification bar—and they were all from Lily.
