CHAPTER 003 OLIVIA'S POV Adrian didn't come home that night and I wasn't comfortable since I knew he left with HER . I waited in bed , staring at the clock as hours passed . Midnight approached and still , there was no sign of him . Was he spending the night with her ? Was Adrian really cheating on me ? My chest felt hollow , the silence of the house taunting me . Sleep refused to come , so I sat up , hugging my knees , wondering if I'd ever truly mattered to him . The next morning , I decided I couldn't wait around in the house for him anymore . I needed to see him , to talk to him , to get to know who Dora was to him even if it meant facing his anger or indifference . I didn't care anymore . I told myself this was my right as his wife , even if he seemed to forget that fact . I arrived at his office , my heart pounding as I approached the desk of his secretary , a chubby woman named Rita . She looked up from her computer , her expression neutral . " Good morning , Mrs. Westwood ," she greeted politely , though her tone was quite different . " I need to see Adrian ," I said , my voice calm despite the storm building inside me . Rita hesitated , her fingers placed on her keyboard . " I'm sorry , ma'am , but Mr. Westwood has given strict instructions not to be disturbed . " My cheeks flushed with embarrassment . I could feel the humiliation crawling up my spine . She knew I was his wife , yet she still denied me entry . This is the humiliation I constantly have to endure ever since I married Adrian . " Please ," I said , lowering my voice . " It's important ." Her lips pressed into a thin line . " I'm afraid I can't , ma'am . Mr. Westwood doesn't want to see anyone right now . " Before I could respond , the door to Adrian's office swung open . My breathing stopped for a moment as I saw him step out , his deep laugh filling the hallway . He wasn't alone . Walking beside him was Dora , her heels clicking confidently against the marble floor . What was she doing here ? Adrian's expression was the same as hers - light , carefree , so unlike the cold mask he wore around me . I remain rooted to my spot , unsure whether to stay or walk away . They were lost in conversation , their voices low but filled with warmth . I wondered if they saw me or 1/4 CHAPTER 003 were pretending not to have . When they reached the lobby , Adrian turned to Dora with a smile . " I'll see you later ," he said , his tone easy and familiar like how he talked to me before our marriage . Dora leaned closer , brushing a hand against his arm . " Don't forget about our plans . " What plans ? He nodded , his smile unwavering . As she walked off , her eyes darted to me for a brief moment , her lips curving into a knowing smirk before she disappeared into the elevator . My hands clenched into fists , my knuckles turning white . Adrian turned to head back into his office , but I stepped forward , blocking his path . " Adrian ," I said , my voice barely above a whisper . He stopped , his gaze cold as it settled on me . " What are you doing here ? " he asked , his tone devoid of any emotion . " I came to talk ," I replied , fighting the anger in my voice . " Why didn't you come ... " " Not now , " he cut me off , signaling to Rita with his hand . " Make sure no one disturbs me . " Rita stepped forward , her presence creating a distance between us . " But ... " I started , only for him to turn and walk back into his office , the door clicking shut behind him . The humiliation burned like fire in my chest . I didn't argue further . I couldn't keep on embarrassing myself there was no point . I made my way to the car garage . My marriage was supposed to be my shield , my safe place , but here , it was nothing more than a badge of shame . In the dimly lit garage , I spotted Dora standing by her car , her posture relaxed as she waited . When our eyes met , her smirk returned , sharper this time . " You look upset ," she said , her tone dripping with mock concern . " Rough day ? " I ignored her , walking to my car , but she stepped in front of me , blocking my path . " You know , Olivia ," she began , her voice sweet but laced with venom , " you really shouldn't cling to a man who clearly doesn't want you . It's ... sad and pathetic ." I told myself to calm down , I refused to let her see my pain . " Is there something you want ? " I asked , keeping my tone as steady as I could . She laughed , a sound that made my chest tighten . " I just thought I'd give you some girly advice . " I clenched my fists , biting back the urge to lash out . " Are you done ? " I asked , but didn't wait for her response .. 2/4 CHAPTER 003 As I opened my car door , her parting words reached me . " You're fighting a losing battle , Olivia . You should know when to quit . " I drove home in silence , her words settling over me like a dark cloud . That night , Adrian didn't come home early which had become a routine ever since he came back from his supposed business trip . And I knew it was because of Dora . Curiosity got the best of me , and I found myself walking toward the one place Adrian had forbidden me to enter his study . - I had a strong feeling that I might find something there that would reveal more about Dora and her relationship with Adrian . I hesitated in front of the door , my pulse racing , but Dora's smug smile flashed in my mind and I found myself breaking the rules I hadn't broken in three years . While going through his drawers , I stumbled upon an old , slightly worn - out photograph that made my heartbeat slow and froze me in place . It was a picture of young Adrian , a pretty woman holding him close , whom I assumed to be his mother because of the resemblance and my parents , all smiling at the camera . Everything in me screamed confusion . Why were they together ? How was this possible? My parents never seemed to know Adrian when I first introduced him to them , and even Adrian never mentioned knowing my parents . My head was filled with different questions , each one adding to the headache that was starting to build . Why hadn't Adrian mentioned knowing my parents ? Was he hiding something from me ? Or was there something my parents had kept from me ? I was snapped back to reality when I heard the door click open downstairs . My heart leaped , and I quickly shoved the photograph back into the drawer , my hands trembling as I hurried back to the bedroom . Adrian walked in without a word , and the room was filled with the stench of alcohol . I stood awkwardly by the bed , unsure whether to speak or remain silent . Without warning , he closed the distance between us , his hands gripped my waist . I hated the way my heart leaped , I knew I should have pushed him , yelled at him , or better still slapped him but I found myself yearning for more . My heart thumped faster as he kissed me , his movements hungry like a lion that had been starved for days . " Adrian ," I whispered , but he silenced me , pulling me closer and undressing me . 3/4 CHAPTER 003 I knew I shouldn't enjoy it but I did . That night , he touched me for the second time in three years . I remembered the first time we were intimate a month ago he was drunk and tonight he was also drunk . I knew what it meant but I deceived my mind into thinking that it was a hope that things might get better . The next morning , Adrian acted as if nothing had happened . He stood by the dresser , buttoning his shirt while I lay in bed , watching him . " Good morning , " I greeted , a blush creeping up my cheeks . He didn't respond , his focus was on his tie . " Adrian , " I said softly , sitting up . " About last night ... " He turned to me , his expression cold . " What about it ? " I hesitated , unsure how to interpret his tone . " I ... I just thought ... " " Don't overthink it ," he interrupted . " I sent some money to your account . Consider it payment for your services . " His words hit me like a punch to the gut . My lips parted , but no sound came out . Without another glance , he grabbed his briefcase and left , leaving me sitting there in stunned silence . Tears blurred my vision as I clutched the sheets , my heart bleeding . Was this what I had become ? A service to be paid for ? 4/4