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.

No Love

Veronica's POV

I took a shaky breath

“ A mistake?” my voice was almost inaudible.

“Do you have any idea how long I've loved you, Carter? How hard have I tried to make this work?” My voice broke.

“Three years… three years of trying to be someone you could care for and all I'll ever be to you is a mistake?”

Carter stared at me in silence for about a minute.

“There's no love between us, Veronica. Never was. Never will,” he casually responded, like I didn't just pour out my heart to him.

Carter's words hit me like a punch to the chest.

My lips parted in disbelief, but no words came out. It felt like he had just confirmed every fear I had buried deep in my heart. Yet he didn't even seem to care.

“If it weren't for you forcing me into that situation three years ago,” he continued, his tone sharp and accusatory.

“We wouldn't be in this mess. My grandfather wouldn't have forced me to marry you”.

“Forcing you?” I finally managed to whisper.

My voice shook, the pain and disbelief laced in every syllable “Carter, you think I forced you?”

Yes, what happened years ago was out of our control but it could have been anyone. His grandfather only approved of me because he genuinely liked me.

Carter scoffed, his gaze cold and distant. “Don’t play innocent. You drugged me that night, didn't you? You knew Grandpa would never let me marry Meghan. So you trapped me instead”.

I felt the air leave my lungs, like I was brutally punched in my guts.

“How could you even say those cruel words to me like I was some desperate whore? I didn't… Carter, I would never…..”

“Save it” he snapped, cutting me off.

“I'm tired of pretending. There's nothing between us, Veronica. So grow the fuck up and stop acting childish!”

I clenched my fists at my sides, trying so hard to stop the tears that were threatening to blur my vision.

“You've hated me for so long for something I didn't do. I loved you, Carter. I still love you. How could you think so little of me?”

He laughed bitterly, shaking his head. “Love? If you loved me, you wouldn't have needed tricks to tie me down”.

My heart shattered, but before I could say anything else, Meghan's voice broke the tense silence.

“Carter, let it go,” she said softly, placing a delicate hand on his arm.

She looked at me with faux pity. “It's not worth fighting over. Let's just go. My wrist is hurting, it needs urgent attention”.

He sighed, his anger dissipating as he turned toward her. “I'm such a fool, how can I forget such an important matter, Let's go”.

I watched, frozen, as he slipped his arm around her waist and they walked out together.

She glanced back at me with a smirk, her victory written all over her face.

As the door closed behind them, his words replayed over and over in my head, cutting through my heart like a double-edged sword.

I sank into a nearby chair, clutching my chest as the tears spilt over.

……

I got a balm for the burn on my hand and returned home alone later that evening for the family dinner.

As usual, grandfather was super happy to see me.

He had the maids prepare our favorites and even got us some gifts but Carter wasn't there to witness it.

Everyone was gathered at the table, including Orthon, Carter's uncle who just returned from the States.

Although I hadn't seen him in three years, he looked even more ethereal than the last time I saw him, and he was just three years older than Carter.

“Vee, quite lovely to see you again” his polished accent was one of the most attractive things about him.

He kissed my hand gently and those gorgeous sapphire blue eyes flickered to me.

“It's lovely to see you again, Orthon,” I responded with a wide smile. “When did you get back?” I asked.

“Last night,” he answered. “You look just as beautiful as I remember”.

My cheeks coloured. He was always one to compliment me every time he set his eyes on me.

“You don't look bad yourself,” I said sincerely.

I didn't want to indulge myself too much in his looks because it made me feel like I was cheating on Carter, no matter how harmless it was.

“And where is your husband?” Master Grayson, Carter's Grandfather asked as I joined the table.

“Oh, he might be running late,” I mumbled , feeling several pairs of eyes boring holes into my skin.

“Or maybe he just doesn't care for it,” Marian Grayson, Carter's mother sneered. The woman saw me as nothing but a gold digger and never bothered to hide her hatred for me.

“You should watch your words, Marian” Grandfather warned, and she muttered something inaudible under her breath.

Dinner went well, as long as I ignored the jabs and focused on Grandfather and Orthon. And yes, Carter didn't show up, which was no surprise at all.

He was probably having fun with his mistress.

Later that evening, Orthon found me sitting alone in the garden, my arms wrapped around myself to hold the broken pieces together as my miserable life played out in my head.

“Veronica,” he said gently, sitting beside me. “You look like you've been crying. What happened?” He asked worriedly.

I forced a shaky smile, wiping at my eyes. “It's nothing, Orthon. Just a long day”.

He frowned, his kind eyes filled with concern. “Don't lie to me. You've always been stronger than this, but at times, even the strongest people need someone to lean on”.

His words broke me further, but I held myself together. “Thank you, Orthon,” I whispered. “But I'm fine”.

“Fine then, don't talk. I'll make you some hot chocolate, you'll feel better after that,” he said softly, patting my shoulder before leaving.

It hurt that someone who wasn't even my husband could care for me this way while my own spouse was aiming over another woman.

…..

The call from the hospital came late that night.

“Mrs. Carter, your grandmother's condition has worsened. You need to come over immediately”.

I didn't think twice before rushing to the hospital.

I rushed to her bedside, my heart pounding with fear.

Seeing her frail figure lying in the hospital bed broke something in me.

“Grandma,” I whispered, holding her hand. “Please, stay with me. I need you. You're all I have left”.

She smiled weakly, cupping my face.

“Don't worry about me, child. You have suffered enough for my sake already”.

Her fingers trembled as she pressed a small business card into my hand.

“If… things get too hard” she rasped, “find him”.

“Who, Grandma? Who should I find?”

But she didn't answer.

The monitor beside her emitted a flat line, and the nurses rushed in, pulling me away as I sobbed uncontrollably.

“No! Please, don't leave me!” I cried, my voice breaking.

But she was gone.

Hours passed and I was still in the hospital lobby, sobbing over my Grandmother.

As I walked down the hall, I saw Carter step out of a ward.

He was surprised to see me but I didn't even have the strength to be mad at me for skipping our anniversary. I just needed comfort.

“Veronica?” He called in surprise.

My grandmother just passed away, I said, tears threatening to fall. “I just… I need you, Carter. Please”.

Before he could respond, Meghan yelled from inside the ward, “Carter”, she gasped, “I don't feel well. Something is wrong with the baby”.

“Baby?” My voice rose, stunned. Meghan was pregnant?

I looked at Carter, expecting some form of explanation. There was a glint of guilt in his eyes and my heart shattered instantly.

“Look, Veronica, I…”

“Carter!” She screamed again. “My tummy hurts. Please…”

“I'm sorry, I have to go. I'll talk to you later,” he said quickly and hurried inside the ward.

And just like that, my heart broke into a million pieces.

Grandma's funeral

Veronica's POV

The church was quiet, the kind of silence that pressed on your chest and made it hard to breathe.

I knelt beside Grandma's coffin, my fingers trembling as I placed the plate of apple pie beside her handkerchiefs.

It felt wrong somehow, offering her favourite dessert when I knew she wouldn't get to taste it again.

“You always said this pie tasted like love,” I whispered, barely loud enough to hear myself over the pounding of my heart. “I hope you can feel it now, wherever you are”.

My voice cracked, and I bit my lip to hold back the tears. I didn't want to cry anymore. I was tired of crying, tired of feeling like a part of me had been ripped away.

A hand landed on my shoulder, startling me. For a moment, I thought it was Carter, and relief flickered in my chest like a fragile flame. But when I turned, it was Orthon.

“I'm sorry for your loss," he said, his voice softer than I'd ever heard it.

“Thank you,” I replied, my tone clipped.

I didn't have the energy for pleasantries, not now.

But Orthon didn't leave. Instead, he hesitated, his brows furrowing like he was working up the courage to say something. “I'm sorry for…everything else, too. For what my family did. For the pain they caused”.

His words hung in the air, heavy and unexpected.

I looked up at him, searching his face for insincerity, but I didn't find any.

It was strange to hear an apology from someone who had done nothing but treat me right while the one who was supposed to apologise wasn't even here.

“I appreciate that,” I said finally, though the words felt hollow.

Orthon nodded, his shoulders sagging in relief, and stepped away.

I turned back to Grandma's coffin, brushing my fingers over the lilies arranged around her.

The petals were soft and cold, like everything else today.

The church doors creaked open, and I heard the familiar sound of polished shoes clicking against the floor. My stomach twisted. Carter.

I didn't look up. I didn't need to.

“Veronica,” he said, his voice brisk and devoid of emotion. “Sorry, I'm late”.

Late! The word hit me like a slap. I straightened, still refusing to look at him, and adjusted the flowers for the third time. My hands shook, but I kept them busy.

“You're always late,” I murmured, my voice low.

“What was that?” he asked, his tone indifferent, as though he hadn't just walked into the most painful moment of my life.

I turned to face him slowly, my eyes locking on his. He looked pristine, as usual—his suit perfectly tailored, his tie knotted flawlessly. Not a single hair was out of place. His expression had a flicker of pity in them but that was it.

“You're late,” I repeated, louder this time.

“And I said I'm sorry about it,” he replied, shrugging slightly.

“I had back-to-back meetings. It couldn't be helped”.

My chest tightened, anger rising like a tide. “It couldn't be helped?” I echoed, my voice trembling.

“Carter, this is her funeral. The one person who was always there for me, and you couldn't even bother to show up on time?”

He sighed as if I was being unreasonable. “You're being dramatic. I'm here now, aren't I?”

His words felt like a slap, and I took a step back, crossing my arms over my chest. “You're always here too late. Birthdays, anniversaries, emergencies—you never show up when it matters. You just swoop in after the damage is done and act like it's enough”.

“I'm not going to argue with you,” he said, his tone clipped.

“This isn't the time or place for this conversation”.

“Oh, now you care about timing?”I shot back, my voice rising, along with my temper.

“You've never cared about what I need, Carter. Not once. Do you know how many nights I've sat alone, wondering if you'd even notice if I disappeared?”

“You're being ridiculous,” he said, his jaw tightening.

“Ridiculous?” I laughed bitterly, the sound hollow and sharp.

“Do you even hear yourself? This isn't about a missed dinner or a forgotten date. This is about you never being there when I need you. This is about me finally realizing that I deserve more than scraps of your attention”.

Carter's expression did not change. He didn't flinch or soften.

He just stood there, his hands in his pockets, his gaze steady and cold.

“What do you want me to say, Veronica? That I'm sorry? Fine. I'm sorry. Can we move on now?”

The finality of his words sank in, and something inside me broke.

“No”

I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “We can't move on. Not from this, not this time around”.

He frowned, finally showing a flicker of confusion. “What's that supposed to mean?”

“It means I'm done,” I said, meeting his gaze with a spirit of defiance that I didn't know I had.

“I'm filing for a divorce”.

For the first time, his composure faltered, but only slightly. His brows furrowed, and his lips pressed into a thin line.

“You're overreacting”.

“No, Carter,” I said, my voice firm.

“ I've spent years underreacting. Years waiting for you to care enough to show up. But I'm done waiting. I deserve better than this. Better than you. I'm leaving you as both your wife and secretary!”

He said nothing, his face hardening into an unreadable mask.

I didn't wait for him to respond.

I turned on my heel and walked out of the church, the sound of my footsteps echoing in the hollow silence. Behind me, I knew he wouldn't follow. He never did.

The Divorce

Carters POV

I stared at the divorce papers in front of me, the harsh, cold words blurring together.

When she threw the words at me during the funeral, I thought she was simply bluffing, trying to get under my skin but now, I realised how wrong I was.

Veronica, my wife, the woman I had shared years of my life with, was filing for divorce. And I didn't understand why.

My heart pounded in my chest, and my throat tightened with panic. The room felt suffocating. This couldn't be happening. Not like this.

How could she, of all people, be the one to make this decision? Veronica had always been so meek, so patient.

She never demanded anything, never pushed me, never even raised her voice in anger.

She had supported me, quietly handling everything while I focused on my work.

It was always this way.

She has always been a steady presence in my life.

And yet, here I was, holding papers that said it was over.

I stood up abruptly, pacing the room.

The weight of it all was crushing.

The last few months had been a blur—my focus was consumed by the company's expansion and my need to push forward to ensure everything was in place. I have been absent, I'll admit it.

But I didn't think she'd notice. I didn't think she'd feel it, not this badly. And then there was Meghan.

Her unexpected return. The pregnancy. It threw me off balance, made me lose my focus, made me do something I deeply regretted.

I grabbed my phone and hit the speed dial for my assistant. Lawrence, “Get in here, Now”.

It didn't take long before he showed up at my door. He walked in after a brief knock, his expression neutral but curious. “Yes, Mr. Grayson?”.

“I need you to do something for me,” I said.

“Find out if Veronicas is seeing anyone else. I need to know. This divorce… it came out of nowhere, and I don't understand why. She's always been so quiet, so patient. Now she's just done with me. I know something is up and I need to find out what”.

Lawrence gave a hesitant nod, but I could see the concern in her eyes.

“Of course, Mr. Grayson. I'll handle it right away”.

“Good,” I muttered. I just need answers.

I turned away from him as he left, my mind spinning.

I had been so absorbed in my work that I didn't notice how much I was neglecting her.

She was always there in the background, silently taking care of everything. And now, she is gone.

I walked over to the window and stared out at the city below.

My mind kept returning to the night Meghan returned, the mistake that had changed everything.

I had been drunk, and I had made a rash decision I would regret forever.

The child was innocent, and I had to make things right for them, but I never intended for it to come at the cost of my marriage.

I didn't think it would push Veronica this far.

I snapped back to the present when I heard Emily's voice on the intercom.

“Mr. Grayson, the conference call with the investors is in fifteen minutes”.

“Thanks,” I said, trying to compose myself as I adjusted my suit.

I couldn't let this affect my work.

I had to maintain control, to keep everything running smoothly.

The call with the investors went as expected—professional, calculated, and efficient. We discussed quarterly projections, new markets, and our strategy moving forward.

But even as I spoke, I couldn't fully focus. My mind kept drifting back to Veronica, to what had gone wrong.

As soon as the call ended, I leaned back in my chair and rubbed my temples. I should have seen it coming. I should have done something before it reached this point.

I looked at the lilies and the designer bag I had bought for her, the same ones I had planned to give her to apologize for everything.

What was a gift compared to what I had taken from her? It felt pathetic now, like nothing more than an empty gesture.

“Mr. Grayson?” Lawrence's voice came from the door again, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Yeah?”

Was he done already? That would be a relief even though it was highly impossible.

“Emily said you've been distracted all day. Perhaps, you can take a break or the entire day off if possible. I will stand in for you,” he offered.

I exhaled a breath I didn't realize I was holding.

It wasn't what I wanted to hear, but it was a good suggestion. I would much rather hear this than the news that my wife was actually seeing someone else. That would completely crush me.

“Yeah,” I said, voice weary. “Thanks, Lawrence, but you don't need to worry, I can handle myself”.

He hesitated for a moment before speaking again. “Sir, I know things have been rough, but I think if this is a family issue, you should focus on resolving it as soon as possible before it escalates”.

“Yeah…” I murmured, staring at the lilies in front of me again. He had a point. I hadn't meant for it to end like this. I had never thought it would get this far.

After Lawrence left, I went back to my desk and began sifting through emails. But it all felt like a blur.

Every message, every phone call, every meeting—it all seemed pointless now. Without Veronica, what was any of this for? She had always been the one who made my life manageable, who kept everything in order.

And now I was alone.

The lilies on my desk and the bag I had bought for her sat untouched. Maybe I should take his advice and go home. I knew I could change her mind if I tried hard enough.

I shut my system and tossed the divorce papers in the trash. I grabbed the lillies and the bags I got for her as well as my keys.

With that, I headed home.

Having Double Mind

Veronica's POV

I began rethinking my decision as I packed my things.

I knew I was doing the right thing but I just didn't know if I was ready to give up my feelings for Carter yet. It felt like I was giving up.

Each piece of clothing I packed felt like a small severing of my past life with Carter. This house has never felt like a home anyway. Even with his grandfather's kindness, it just wasn't enough to make me feel like more than a guest.

Every item I folded, every drawer I emptied, felt like I was closing a chapter of my life that had long ago lost its meaning.

I was so lost in the task at hand that I didn't even hear the door open.

"Well, well, well" came the sharp, condescending voice of Marian Grayson, Carter's mother. "If it isn't the little gold digger, packing her things."

I froze, a surge of bitterness rising within me.

Marian had always looked at me as though I was beneath her, as though I had somehow tricked her precious son into marrying me for the wealth his family possessed.

I had never been good enough for her and for years, I had to tolerate her hatred.

"What do you want, Marian?" I asked, keeping my back turned, my voice steady despite the anger bubbling up inside me. "I'm finally leaving, aren't I?"

"Leaving?" She scoffed, stepping closer with an air of superiority.

"Of course, you are. You've had your fun, haven't you? So you can go to hell for all I care. But don't think you can just walk away with everything”.

What is this woman talking about now?

Her eyes rested suspiciously on my bag. “What do you have in those hefty bags? I don't remember them being that heavily loaded when you moved in. What did you take? Something valuable, perhaps?"

Her words stung, but I told myself I wouldn't let her get to me anymore.

I had spent years letting her control the narrative of my life, letting her judge me from the sidelines. But not today.

I turned to face her, irritation resting on my face. "I've filed for divorce from Carter," I said calmly, the words feeling almost foreign on my tongue, but freeing nonetheless.

For a moment, Marian looked stunned, her sharp features softening with a hint of surprise.

But then, a smile tugged at the corner of her lips, one that didn't reach her eyes. "Oh, I'm sure that's for the best," she said as if she had been expecting this for a long time.

But then, her gaze dropped to my suitcase, and the smile faltered. "But don't even think that will distract me from what's happening. You didn't pack just clothes, did you? That's why you're trying to stall."

I felt a flash of anger, but I didn't let it show.

Marian's voice had a venomous edge like she was trying to find something to accuse me of.

I knew exactly what she was looking for.

She immediately signalled her maid whom I hadn't noticed until now.

“Empty that suitcase. I know she had taken something valuable”.

I watched as the servant stepped forward, unzipping the suitcase and rummaging through it.

I watched as she carefully pulled out my grandmother's belongings, including the bracelet. I could feel the sting of Marian's glare, and it made my chest tighten.

“I already told you.These are all my belongings,” I sighed, annoyed I was going to have to repack everything.

Marian, of course, found something to capitalise on.

"That bracelet," Marian said, her voice taking on a sharper edge, "was bought by Carter. It belongs to the Grayson family now. You're not taking it with you."

I almost laughed at the absurdity of it.

Of course, she would claim that.

She was always so quick to stake her claim on anything that had to do with Carter or the Grayson name.

"This bracelet was my grandmothers," I said, my voice quiet but firm. "And I'm taking it with me."

Marian's mouth opened to argue, but before she could speak, I heard the sound of the front door opening.

Carter's voice rang out, but it was strained, weary.

I turned as he stepped into the room, his eyes scanning the scene. His gaze fell on me, and then it shifted to Marian, standing beside the suitcase.

"What's going on?"Carter asked, his voice tense.

I felt a coldness in my chest. Here was Carter—the man who had never truly known me, the man who had always been too busy with his work, too distracted by everything else, to see what was right in front of him.

What was he doing here so early anyway? Didn't he have work to do?

“Your mother is being dramatic. She is bent on causing a scene,” I answered coldly and he was taken aback.

He had gotten so used to my sweet pushover nature that he didn't think there were other sides of me.

“Dramatic?” Marian huffed.

“This gold digger is trying to leave with our valuables! She thinks she can still keep the gifts given to her while you both are still together”.

I crossed the room, standing before him, my emotions swirling like a storm. "Carter," I said, my voice shaking with everything I had been holding back.

"I want to know. Did you ever, even once, buy me a gift? A real gift. Something that showed you knew me, that you cared enough to understand me?"

Carter's brow furrowed. He looked taken aback, his eyes searching mine. But there was something else there—something I couldn't quite place.

He didn't have an answer to that, of course, because in truth, he had never gotten me a gift. Not even once.

I began feeling nauseous and let out a sneeze before I could stop it. Then my eyes flickered down to the bouquet of lilies in his hand. Is that for me?

I couldn't help it. A laugh, bitter and sharp, bubbled out of me.

It wasn't funny. Not really. But it was everything.

It was the culmination of years of feeling invisible, of being so far removed from Carter's true affections that I had become a ghost in our own life together.

“You brought lilies?” I scoffed in disbelief.

“So what?” He retorted.

"You really don't know, do you?" I whispered through the laughter, the sting of tears threatening.

"Three years, Carter. We've been married for three years, and you didn't even know that I'm allergic to lilies."

I wiped at my eyes, a mix of anger and sorrow welling inside me.

Something flickered in his eyes but I didn't care to know what it was. I turned to Marian.

“Maybe you should go ahead and ask your son. I mean, look at him. How could he even gift me a bracelet when he doesn't even know the basic things about me? After three years of marriage, the first set of flowers he brings home is a bunch of lilies, which his wife is allergic to. Maybe you can be the judge now and tell me if you really think he has ever considered giving me anything”.

Carter had an embarrassed look on his face when I finished.

This was surprising to me though cause the Carter I know, rarely let his emotions show.

I took a deep breath and stared at the mother and son.

"You fucking bitches," I muttered in my mind

Regrets

Veronica's POV

His face was flustered and red with embarrassment, confirming how right I was. My heart squeezed tightly as the truth became clearer by the minute.

This man didn't make any effort to know me, even after seven years as his secretary and three years as his wife.

“They aren’t for you,” Carter muttered, pushing them behind him immediately to prove that he was lying. He couldn’t even look at me, his usual confidence slipping like sand through his fingers. “I... I bought them for my mother.”

I nearly laughed, the bitterness rising in my throat like bile. Of course you did.

“Right,” I said, my voice cold and flat. “Your mother.”

There was no warmth in the silence that followed—just the tension of a thousand unsaid words hanging between us. I folded my arms, holding myself tightly as if the act could keep me from breaking.

“Mom, the bracelet belongs to Veronica. I didn't buy it for her,” Carter said to Marian but the woman still didn't look like she believed us.

“Carter, you don't have to cover up for this woman…” she started saying but he cut her short.

“I am not covering up for anyone. Veronica has had that bracelet way before we got married. Hand it over to her please,” he said and that seemed to convince her.

Reluctantly, Marian handed over the bracelet to me and I received it with grace. Finally! I couldn't wait to leave this suffocating place.

“Thank you,” I said curtly, tucking it in my bag.

“Well,” Marian said, her lips curling into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, “it seems this little misunderstanding is over. You can leave now, Veronica.”

Leave.

Even though it was the very freedom I needed, it hurt to think that they could dismiss me so quicky.

I reached into my bag and pulled out the papers—two crisp sheets that felt heavier than they should have. The divorce agreement and my resignation letter. My ticket out of this nightmare.

I sucked in a deep breath, reminding myself that this was the right thing to do, no matter how much it hurt.

“Here,” I said, holding them out. “This is all you need from me.”

“What is this?” Carter added and I strugged.

“You'll see.”

But before I could turn and walk away, I felt it—a hand grabbing my wrist, stopping me mid-step. Carter.

“Veronica,” he said, his voice low and urgent, “This is a very big decision to just make out of the blue, you can’t just leave like this. You need to tell Grandfather. You know how much he likes you. Leaving like this will crush him.”

Right! Of course he was worried about his grandfather's reaction.

Master Grayson. The only member of his family who had ever been kind to me, the man who had treated me like a granddaughter when no one else did. For a moment, guilt wavered in my chest, but I shoved it aside.

“I’ll find time,” I replied, keeping my tone cool, “to talk to him myself.”

Carter’s grip tightened, his knuckles going white. “That’s not good enough. I’m not signing this.” He shook the papers in his free hand. “The company still needs you. I still…”

I let out a loud and bitter laugh. Wow! This was more than interesting. He was chasing me because he still wanted to enslave me at the company so he could flaunt his first love more in my face.

“The company? Last time I checked, you had your sweet little Meghan by your side. I’m sure she’ll be a great help to you, now that she’s carrying your child.”

His face paled, and for a split second, he looked almost guilty. Good.

“That’s not—”

“What it looks like?” I cut him off, my words laced with venom. “Oh, right. I must be misunderstanding everything because I'm just plain stupid right?”

“Veronica, listen to me.”

But Marian stepped in then, her voice chiming over his like a bell. “Oh, Carter, let her go. Meghan is a lovely girl, and we’re more than happy to have her as part of this family.”

I turned to Marian slowly, my lip curling. “I’m sure you are.”

Carter tried again, his voice breaking with something I didn’t care to name. “It was an accident. Meghan’s pregnancy—”

“An accident?” I repeated, cutting him off. The word stung, reverberating in my chest like an old wound ripping open. “The way you explain things, Carter, everything’s just one big accident, isn’t it? And you expect me to believe that, don't you? Yet you've never believed that what happened between us three years ago was an accident as well.”

The room went silent. Carter looked stricken, like I’d just slapped him. Maybe I should have. It would have been a good way to release most of the pain clawing me inside.

I didn’t give him a chance to respond. I turned on my heel, yanking my wrist free of his grip. My steps echoed through the room as I walked away, but his voice chased after me.

“You can’t live without me, Veronica!” he called, his voice desperate, breaking at the edges. “You'll surely come running back, I promise you that!”

The words hit me like the truck. The audacity of this man.

“You have no where to go, Veronica. Without me, you are lost,” he said.

I guess this is what you get when you put your life on hold for someone. They suddenly think that without them, you are nothing. I was so going to prove this man wrong.

I stopped just long enough to look back, meeting his eyes with all the cold anger I could summon. “Watch me.”

And then I walked out.

The moment the front door closed behind me, I let out a shaky breath. My chest felt heavy, my hands trembling.

So many emotions were swirling inside me. Anger, pain, frustration.

I could never go back. Not now. Not ever. I don't care what I had to do but Carter was no longer going to be a part of my life.

Stranded

Veronica's POV

The rain showed no mercy as I trudged down the empty street, dragging my battered suitcase behind me. The wheels kept catching on uneven cracks, jolting me forward and back with every step. My clothes were soaked through, clinging to my skin, and the cold gnawed at my bones.

Tears streamed down my face, but they weren’t the silent, dignified kind. They were ugly and relentless, burning hot even as the rain washed them away. I had no idea where I was going.

I just wanted to be free of this pain.

The sound of an approaching car made me instinctively step toward the curb, hugging my suitcase close to avoid the spray from the puddles. But instead of slowing down, the car speed up, slamming through a deep puddle and sending a wave of icy, dirty water splashing all over me.

I gasped, stumbling as the shock of the cold hit me. My suitcase tipped over, spilling some of its contents onto the wet pavement.

And then I heard her laugh.

The car slowed just enough for me to see Meghan’s smug face leaning out the window.

“Oh dear,” she drawled, her voice syrupy sweet with mock concern. “Veronica, I didn’t see you there. I hope I didn’t ruin your lovely walk in the rain.”

I clenched my fists, swallowing the rage that bubbled up in my chest. “What do you want, Meghan?” I snapped, my voice trembling with cold and anger.

She smirked, resting her chin on her hand. “Oh, I’m just here to remind you of your place. You know, this all could’ve been avoided if you hadn’t grabbed the wrong drink three years ago.”

Her words made my heart stop for a moment. “What are you talking about?”

She laughed, tilting her head. “Oh, you didn’t know? That night at the gala, I was supposed to be with Carter. That drink was supposed to do the magic and get him in my bed! But you—you just couldn’t resist playing Cinderella, could you?” She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper. “But don’t worry. Fate has a way of correcting itself. Now that you’re out of the way, Carter and I can finally have the life we were meant to.”

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. She was the reason Carter treated me with so much disdain for three years! All because of that one drink?

Old Veronica would have ran back to him to explain everything and beg him to believe her but now, I didn't even care.

“You think you’ve won,” I said, my voice cold and sharp. “But Carter isn’t a prize, Meghan. A man gotten by tricks will never truly be yours because one day, the truth will come out!”

Her smile faltered for a split second before she laughed again, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “We’ll see about that,” she said before rolling up the window and speeding off into the rain.

I stood there, soaked and shaking, staring at the empty street ahead of me. Her words echoed in my mind, making me question everything. Was I really going to let her ruin my life like this?

Yet I knew even if I turned back now, Carter would still believe her over me. It also didn't change the fact that she was pregnant for him.

By the time I reached my old apartment, I was a shell of myself. My hands trembled as I knocked on the landlord’s door, praying for some semblance of normalcy.

The door creaked open, and my landlord stood there, his face pale and strained.

“Mr Knight, sorry for coming at this hour. I would have come earlier but I got caught up in the rain,” I explained.

“Miss Veronica,” he said, his voice tight, “I… I can’t let you stay here anymore.”

My stomach dropped. “What? Why not? I can renew the rent…”

He shifted uncomfortably, avoiding my eyes. “Carter called. He… he said if I let you rent here, he’d ruin me. I’m sorry, but I can’t afford to go against him.”

I stared at him, stunned for a second. Carter did this?!

“I understand,” I whispered, even though I didn’t. Even though I wanted to scream at the injustice of it all. I knew the lengths Carter could go to get what he wants. There was no point dragging an innocent man into it.

Dragging my suitcase behind me, I tried hotel after hotel, but the answer was always the same. No availability. No room. And every time, I saw the same pitying look on the receptionist’s face, the same unspoken words: Someone’s warned us not to take you in.

I couldn't believe this. I wanted to stomp back to the mansion and hit him, let out all the pent-up anger and frustration but I knew that would do me no good.

He was trying to force me back with me. To keep me at his mercy.

When my phone buzzed, I knew it was him before I even looked at the screen.

“What do you want, Carter?” I said, my voice hoarse from crying and exhaustion.

“Come back,” he said, his tone firm but tinged with something that sounded almost like desperation. “You’re being ridiculous, Veronica. You have nowhere else to go.”

I let out a bitter laugh, the sound hollow and sharp. “And whose fault is that?”

“Stop this nonsense,” he snapped. “You need me.”

“No, Carter,” I said, my voice trembling. “I don’t.” And I hung up before he could say another word.

By now, my body was screaming for rest, but my mind was racing. Then, I remembered the business card my grandmother had given me. Now I understood what she meant by when things get tough.

I pulled the card from my bag, my fingers trembling from the cold and the rain. I was dizzy as hell and tired.

I could barely see the words because of the rain but then a car screeched to a stop beside me.

I didn't want to believe that Meghan to back. I swear to god I will pull her out here and beat the shit out of her, pregnant or not. But even then, my body swayed weakly and I could barely maintain balance.

“Veronica?”

I tried to turn but my body gave out and I passed out.