Lucas has always been too soft on him, cleaning up his messes and gambling debts to the tune of millions.
We've had our fair share of fights over his reckless spending.
Martha's face twisted into a cunning smile, her eyes gleaming with mischief once she thought I had amnesia.
My heart chilled a few more degrees.
"Well, if you can't remember, best not to dwell on it. Just rest up," she said, her tone lightening as she left the room.
I locked the study door behind her and started checking the financials on Lucas's computer, noting every transaction and deposit.
A shocking personal expenditure of $30 million caught my eye.
I barely had time to process it when the door clicked, unlocked with a key.
3
Lucas entered briskly. "Why's it so darks in here?"
I quickly closed all tabs, relieved I'd used incognito mode.
"I'm sorry I couldn't pick you up, had a crucial meeting today," he said, hugging me, his neck nuzzling against mine, his shirt carrying a faint, unfamiliar perfume.
It was a subtle scent, but my senses were sharp; I caught it immediately.
Lies seemed to flow from him as easily as breathing, without a hint of guilt.
Disgusted, I played along, "It's fine, doesn't matter who picks me up."
He stroked my back, his eyes pretending to be full of sorrow.
Inside, I was seething at his audacity to act so concerned.
"I'm going back to the office tomorrow," I declared.
A flicker of concern crossed his face. "Tomorrow? That soon? Maybe take a little longer to rest."
The recent events had wrung genuine tears from me, mingling with those I forced.
Holding back my emotions, I added, "I need to distract myself, you know... after losing our baby..."
My voice broke, and tears followed, Lucas quickly moved to comfort me, his panic evident.
Too trusting, I had been, especially after handing over the business reins to him post-pregnancy.
As my health waned, I entrusted him with full custody of the company and our finances.
He had everything under control, after all.
Clearly, men can be heartless.
They climb using their wives' efforts, then boast as if self-made, letting their true rotten nature eventually show.
Or perhaps, they were rotten from the start, just well-masked.
The next morning, I arrived at the office with Lucas, poised and graceful.
Melanie's smile was strained, her eyes betraying her frustration and resentment.
Clearly, she was too inexperienced to hide her true feelings.