Aubrey’s heart skipped a beat when she felt a presence behind her. She turned, only to find Lucas standing there, catching her off guard while she was engrossed in her breakfast preparations.
“Cooking,” Aubrey replied, her voice betraying her surprise as she resumed her work. She couldn’t shake off the memory of Evan’s recent warning, a lingering caution that kept her on edge.
“I’m sorry, Aubrey. I know Evan was angry with you because of me,” Lucas apologized, his voice tinged with remorse.
Aubrey quickly dismissed his guilt, refusing to let it burden him. “No, Lucas, it’s not your fault. There’s nothing wrong between me and Evan,” she reassured him, hoping to put his concerns to rest.
Lucas’s inquiry about the state of her relationship with Evan didn’t go unnoticed. Aubrey understood the underlying meaning of his words as they reached her ears. She pleaded with him, her voice filled with a mixture of vulnerability and desperation. “Lucas, please, don’t ask me anything about me and Evan.”
Sympathy filled Lucas’s eyes as he smiled and nodded, honoring her plea for privacy. He had glimpsed the love she held for Evan, but he understood the boundaries she wished to establish.
“You love him. If you don’t mind my asking, how long have you two been married?” Lucas inquired gently, curious about the depth of their connection.
Aubrey’s smile widened, warmed by the thought of her three years of marriage to Evan. “Three years,” she replied, a touch of pride evident in her voice.
Lucas’s surprise was palpable. “Woah! You guys don’t seem like it at all. So, when are you planning to have a baby?” he asked, his curiosity getting the better of him. Aubrey, however, had never given serious thought to starting a family with Evan. The mere idea of their child, a blend of their features and personalities, brought a glimmer of joy to her heart. But a wave of uncertainty washed over her, tainted by the fear of how Evan might react. Would having a baby jeopardize their relationship?
“We haven’t planned anything yet,” Aubrey replied, her words betraying her fidgety state of mind as she grappled with her emotions.
The evening brought an unexpected phone call, interrupting Aubrey’s thoughts. It was Evan on the line, his voice commanding her attention.
“I’m sending someone to pick you up. Come here,” he instructed abruptly.
“Now?” Aubrey questioned, caught off guard by the suddenness of his request.
“Is something wrong?” he inquired, concern lacing his tone.
Aubrey took a deep breath, steadying herself before responding. “No, I’ll be there,” she replied, a sense of anticipation mingled with uncertainty.
“Alright, then. I’ll make the necessary arrangements. Just come here,” Evan concluded, ending the call.
Her mind buzzed with questions as she prepared herself, bathing and donning an elegant outfit. Evan had meticulously arranged everything, even organizing a visit to a luxurious salon. The stylist meticulously dressed her in a long black one-shoulder party maxi dress, the soft satin fabric caressing her skin, its sensual slit hinting at a side of her she rarely embraced. Completing the ensemble, her hair was styled in a messy bun, giving her an air of effortless sophistication.
“Stunning,” the stylist complimented, their words echoing through the room.
Aubrey turned to gaze at her reflection in the mirror, feeling like an entirely different person. The transformation was astonishing, a momentary escape from the reality of her troubled marriage.
“Thank you,” she graciously replied to the stylist, acknowledging the effort that had gone into her appearance. Her eyes then sought out Evan, who stood nearby, engrossed in a phone conversation. He didn’t utter a word, his silence almost piercing as his gaze locked onto her. Aubrey’s cheeks flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and longing, unsure of how to respond to the intensity of his stare.
A tap on Evan’s shoulder brought him back to the present, interrupting his reverie. With a slight shake of his head, as if trying to clear his thoughts, he turned to Aubrey and uttered a simple directive. “Let’s go.”
The absence of compliments or further acknowledgement of her appearance left Aubrey with a pang of sadness. Deep down, she understood that Evan, as a successful and wealthy man, likely encountered more strikingly beautiful women on a regular basis. Still, it couldn’t extinguish the small flicker of hope within her, longing for his affection and admiration.
Arriving at the party, Evan held Aubrey’s hand firmly as they entered the venue. All eyes turned toward them, their presence commanding attention. He placed his hand possessively around her waist, a gesture that seemed foreign yet exhilarating. A smile graced Evan’s lips—a smile that was exclusively for Aubrey. It was the first time she had witnessed such warmth from him, a fleeting glimpse into the affection she yearned for.
As Aubrey glanced around, she couldn’t help but notice the whispers and envious gazes directed their way. In that moment, she was acutely aware of the privileged position she held by Evan’s side. However, amidst the admiration and envy, confusion gnawed at her. Why had Evan summoned her to this event with such urgency?
“Distinguished guests, thank you for gracing us with your presence,” Evan began, exchanging pleasantries with the other attendees, his words tinged with his customary charm.
The attention of everyone in the room shifted in unison toward the entrance. Aubrey instinctively followed their gaze, only for her heart to sink at the sight of Cassie. Clad in an exquisite wine-colored gown that accentuated her fair complexion, Cassie exuded an undeniable beauty, reminiscent of a glamorous actress. Aubrey’s eyes then darted back to Evan, who stood conversing with his business partners, seemingly disinterested in Cassie’s arrival.
Cassie approached them, and Evan welcomed her with a smile and a casual side hug. Ignoring Aubrey’s presence, they engaged in conversation as if they were long-lost friends. Evan spared only a fleeting glance toward Aubrey since Cassie’s arrival, oblivious to the discomfort that plagued her.
“I’m going to the washroom,” Aubrey announced abruptly, seeking respite from the rising tide of jealousy that threatened to consume her. Keeping a distance from Evan and Cassie, she stood alone, her emotions teetering on the edge, ready to spill over at any moment.
A waiter approached, interrupting her thoughts, and offered her a glass of wine. Grateful for any distraction from her mounting anguish, Aubrey accepted the wine and began to drink, barely registering its taste. The liquid provided a fleeting relief to the burning fire of jealousy within her. She glanced back at Evan, who appeared utterly content in Cassie’s company, as if he had never shared such happiness with Aubrey.
Before she knew it, a tall and handsome man approached, capturing her attention. “Hello, beautiful. Care to have a drink together?” he asked, his voice laced with charm. Aubrey nodded, her gaze still fixated on Evan, her heart yearning for his attention.
Unbeknownst to her, the drink she accepted was more potent than she realized. “Do you know you’ve just consumed three shots?” the man revealed, his touch lightly grazing her waist. Aubrey’s eyes widened in surprise as Evan suddenly materialized beside her.
“Excuse us, please,” Evan requested, a hint of authority in his tone as he politely declined the man’s offer. Disappointment etched across the stranger’s face, left wanting for the opportunity to engage with Aubrey further. Evan’s grip around her waist tightened possessively, his presence overpowering.
“You’re drunk,” Evan declared, his voice a blend of concern and reproach, as he swiftly guided Aubrey away from the crowd.
“No, I’m not—” Aubrey began to protest, but her words dissolved into a whine as she inadvertently bumped into Cassie. The moment their eyes met, Aubrey could sense the disdain in Cassie’s gaze, a look that condescendingly belittled her.
A surge of anger and hurt coursed through Aubrey’s veins, overpowering any semblance of self-restraint. Before Evan could complete his sentence, she lashed out at Cassie, her voice resounding through the room, exposing the turmoil that had been festering within her.
“Don’t you feel ashamed, flirting with a married man?” The words escaped her lips before she could fully comprehend their impact. The attention of the entire room was now fixated on the tumultuous scene unfolding before them, a confrontation that revealed the cracks in Aubrey and Evan’s relationship.
