CHAPTER 001 OLIVIA'S POV I lit the last candle , adjusting it slightly to balance the warm glow across the room . Soft music played in the background , and the bedside table was set with Adrian's favorite wine . Tonight had to be perfect . I smoothed the silk lingerie which I had bought just for tonight with my trembling hands as I checked myself in the mirror one last time . The sound of the door opening downstairs sent a chill down my spine . My heart raced . Adrian was home . I hurried to the edge of the bed , holding my cold hands together . The door to the bedroom swung open , and there he was , he never ceases to take my breath away . His perfect angelic figure filled the doorway , his tie loose and suit wrinkled which was a rare sight for my always composed husband . " What are you doing in my room ? " His cold voice echoed in the room interrupting my thoughts . I quickly stood up from the edge of the bed and my hands gripped a small portion of the fabric of my silk lingerie suddenly felt ridiculous in the outfit that I'd spent hours picking at the mall . " I ... I thought we could spend some time together ," I stammered . His gaze swept across the room from the flickering candles , the soft music , the wine and finally landed on me . His expression hardened and became darker causing me to shiver. " I didn't ask for an explanation , " he said coldly . " Blow out the candles and get out . " I froze , his words hitting harder than they should have . " Adrian , " I said quietly , forcing a smile that felt fragile . " It's been a month since you've been home . Can't we just talk for a moment ? " He let out a deep breath , rubbing his forehead as though I were an inconvenience . " I'm tired , Olivia . Don't make this harder than it needs to be ." " I've waited for you for one month ! " My voice cracked , and I hated how desperate I sounded . " I thought ... " " I said I'm tired . Are you deaf ?" His tone was final and harsh . I bit back the lump in my throat . I was in love and this is what love does , it makes you foolish . It makes you endure things you never thought you would . 1/3 CHAPTER 001 You might ask me why I married him when I knew this was how he behaved towards me. It would shock you to know that Adrian wasn't always like this . When we were dating , Adrian was sweet , thoughtful and caring . He made me believe I was the only woman meant for him and I fell for it . I agreed to marry him but the night we got married Adrian changed . He became cold and distant , he even left me alone in the suites on our wedding night and went off to God knows where . I didn't see my husband until a week later . No intimacy , no honeymoon , nothing ! I took a shaky breath and decided to try again . " Maybe I can help you relax just like the night before you travelled . We could ..." His dry , cold laugh cut me off . " Help me ? Do you think I'd want to have anything to do with you ? The last time was a drunken mistake . " He shook his head . " Stop trying so hard , Olivia . It's pathetic ." Drunken mistake ? Pathetic ? The words felt like a slap that stung so bad on my cheeks . My fists clenched at my sides as I fought back tears in my eyes . " Is it pathetic to want my husband to care ? To hope that after one month, you might want to be with me tonight ? " My voice rose despite the lump in my throat . He sneered , gesturing to the room . " This ... " he waved a han the silk lingerie . at the candles , the wine , " This isn't going to fix anything . It only makes me hate you more . Stop embarrassing yourself ." My chest tightened . " Hate me ? " I whispered , barely able to get the words out . He sighed , glaring at me . " I think you should stop holding on to something that never existed ." He once swore that he loved me and now he is saying nothing ever existed ? How could someone who used to love me so much turned into this cold heartless person ? I just ... I don't get it . If he claims nothing ever existed between us why then did he marry me ? My chest ached , but I refused to let the tears welled up in my eyes fall . " For three years you've been hurting my emotions time after time , and you act like you don't care . " Adrian scoffed . " Olivia , don't get me wrong , I'm not acting . I actually don't care . I never did , and I never will . Get that into your thick , empty skull . Do you understand ? " My breath caught in my throat as I stared at him in disbelief . How could he say such hurtful things to me? 2/3 CHAPTER 001 " Then why did you ask for my hand in marriage ? " I shouted , my voice shook . " Why marry me , Adrian ? Why ? " Adrian's jaw tightened , but he didn't answer . Instead , he turned his back at me and headed toward the bathroom . The door slammed shut behind him , leaving me alone with the flickering candles . Their warm light mocking the effort I had put into this night . 1 sank onto the bed , I couldn't hold back the tears anymore as they streamed down my cheeks . My heart ached and I clutched my chest tightly hoping to relieve the pain . Adrian's phone buzzed on the nightstand bringing me back from my emotions . Normally , I wouldn't touch it . He was always so protective of it . But tonight , something compelled me . Maybe it was the pain , the betrayal , or the small voice in my head telling me not to mind my own business this time . I picked up the phone , my hands trembled as I read the message . Dora : " I enjoyed the vacation with you . Sweet dreams ." Vacation ? My heart - stopped and I was unable to breathe properly for a while . Adrian had told me he was on a business trip and I'd waited for him for one whole month only to discover that he was with another woman . The phone slipped from my hands as the truth settled in my chest like a ton of blocks . Adrian stepped out of the bathroom , a towel draped over his shoulders , I couldn't stop myself . " Who is Dora? " 3/3