Chapter Fifteen

I fixed my gaze on her, my anger simmering just beneath the surface, yet my expression remained calm, almost indifferent.

She might have tried every trick in the book to win over my Ro, but she wouldn't succeed. I was beginning to see through her lies, and she had made a grave mistake. A monumental one.

I had her figured out.

"What do you want with Amir?" I asked, scrunching my nose as my finger traced the rim of my coffee cup.

The elderly woman behind the counter kept stealing glances at us whenever she had a moment, in between darting inside to check on the freshly baked goods.

When I mentioned that this town thrived on gossip, I didn't mean for anyone to be so brazenly nosy, yet there she was, doing just that without a hint of shame.

Willow took a sip from her cup, a charming smile gracing her lips, and delicately set the china down, dabbing her mouth with a tissue.

I continued to observe her closely, analyzing her every reaction as I pressed her for answers.

Reese and Darius were confident when I suggested we meet her, but they couldn't come up with a better plan than this.

I had to because I have seen Ro, the way, they don’t know, and can never fathom.

"Nothing that isn't mine," she replied, allowing the silence between us to stretch as she carefully chose her words.

I let out a scoff, tired of her theatrics.

"Are you suggesting Amir is yours? Because let me remind you, he is my husband!" I shot back, my tone icy.

How dare she...

Her laughter was sweet, a sound that echoed in my ears like a haunting tune.

I despised her. I truly despised her.

“I appreciate your possessiveness, but let's be real, Amery. You have no control here because, in the end, he chose me and willingly sent you those divorce papers.” She smiled at me as if we were friends, but the truth was far from friendly.

"FYI, we aren't divorced yet. I've decided not to proceed with it." My voice dripped with bitterness.

She sighed, giving me a look of faux sympathy before standing up.

"I have nothing else to say. Amir is with me, and it's not like I’ve tied him down to keep him there." She shrugged, crossing her arms over her breasts and inspecting her nails.

What a piece of work! This Bitch!

"Then you wouldn't mind if I dropped by your place to have a quick chat with Amir?" I raised an eyebrow, feeling a sense of satisfaction.

She froze, her gaze darting across my face, and even though she maintained a calm demeanor, I could see the fear and anxiety lurking beneath. It was fascinating how she had been so close to mocking me just moments ago, and now her eyes reflected sheer terror.

"No. No... You can't do that. I’ll inform him that you want to see him, but that’s all I can offer." She hurriedly grabbed her bag and stormed out, while I leaned back, watching her from the café window as she rushed to her car, muttering under her breath.

I couldn't decipher the words on her lips, but her actions spoke volumes.

She clearly didn’t want me to visit, and since only Ro knew about my and Darius's visit to him that night at her estate, she had no idea I had already crossed into her territory.

My gaze shifted to my phone, and after taking a deep breath, I called Reese. She was with Darius, both of them acting as Ro, and my guardians, shielding us and our marriage from falling apart.

But I can't shake the feeling that my marriage isn't the only thing facing challenges.

"Hey, did you come across anything?" I inquired, tapping my fingers on the table while observing the faint heat rising from my coffee.

There was a moment of silence. I had high hopes, but deep down, I shared the same uncertainties I had sent her way.

"You were right," she murmured, and I could hear Darius in the background, likely causing chaos in her personal lab at home.

"And... what about Ro? Did you manage to see him at all? How's he holding up?" I bit my lip, swallowing hard as tears threatened to spill from my eyes.

I despised him just as fiercely as I loved him despite forgiving him. Our relationship had become a tangled mess, yet it remained a part of me, symbolized by the wedding band on my finger and etched into my very being.

I do care for him.

I do love him.

"We didn’t. Darius tried to track him down, but we got lost in the house. It was more confusing for Darius than for me, considering it was my first time there... Just talk to him; I think you’ll connect with him better than I can."

I heard her footsteps and the hushed arguments before Darius’ gruff voice reached my ears, making me wince in irritation.

"Amery," he growled, and I could picture him glaring at my friend while she muttered curses at him for meddling with her equipment. I imagined he was captivated by the compound microscope, while she had some samples laid out that she was focused on.

My amusement faded when Darius began sharing his thoughts on visiting that place.

"Remember the basement in that house? With the way it was constructed, you can't just make it disappear."

I listened as he continued with his observations.

"The second floor had three rooms, and there were stairs leading to the attic. Strangely enough, the basement is completely gone. The attic isn't there anymore, and instead of three rooms, there are only two. One has been turned into a painting studio, while the other is the master bedroom, which I couldn't access. It had an iris recognition lock, and I heard noises, but when I tried to communicate, all I got was the sound of heavy footsteps echoing back." He clenched his jaw, clearly frustrated that his efforts seemed futile. I knew he had uncovered more than he realized.

"Was Ro there?" I felt as if I were observing myself from a distance. The tremors coursing through me felt foreign, almost like I was experiencing an out-of-body moment.

He muttered but managed to respond. "No, or maybe yes. I can't say for sure; I didn't have much time to explore. The kitchen was the only area we could access, and I gathered what I could. I haven't seen the little evidence we acquired yet, but I plan to when you arrive later today."

I sensed he had discovered something significant.

"I'll be there in about an hour, but first, I need to swing by my house to check on the cleaners and designers I hired today. It was a mess, and I can't stand leaving it like that just because my husband is away." I sighed deeply, feeling a tight knot of pain in my chest that I instinctively rubbed, as if it were a physical injury.

"I get it, but before you hang up, tell me anything you remember about the house from the day you were on the second floor with Amir." It was a strange request, yet I found myself compelled to comply.

Memories flooded my mind, each moment replaying like scenes from a film frame by frame, revealing details that now seemed oddly out of place.

I felt my eyes widen, and I swallowed hard. How could I have overlooked this until now?

"Darius... I just remembered something... and you might want to see it. Can you come to my house with Reese and your things? I need to stop by Ro's studio first." After we settled on a time, I hurried to the counter, grabbed the pecan pie, and paid for the food and drinks.

I resented having to cover the cost for that bitch, but it wasn’t the old lady’s fault and she deserved to be compensated for her work.

"Thank you for coming... And... Amery..." she paused, her eyes shining with genuine concern. "I don’t know how your struggles connect to this town, but remember, it’s not just about the gossip and rumors. We truly fear what lurks in the shadows of this place that no one dares to explore."

I frowned, puzzled by her words.

"Polly, what do you mean by that?"

She quickly grabbed her notepad and fountain pen from the cash drawer, scribbling furiously.

"I may not be as educated or knowledgeable as you, Amery, but I know this town better than anyone. That girl you just met understands it just as well as I do. Having lived here for so long, I can sense when something is off, and she doesn’t fit in here... I’ve always enjoyed a good romance," she said with a light chuckle, but I could only manage an awkward smile in response.

"I suppose most people do." That was unexpected...

"I support those whose relationships transcend mere loyalty, respect, and trust. These qualities are fundamental in any connection, whether with friends, family, or a true ally. However, what truly unites these essential elements into something profound—a promise, a vow, and a blessing—is genuine, passionate love. I can see it when it ignites. You and Amir were one of my favorite couples for a reason. It was the mist of passion that lingered in your eyes, evident in your actions. I want to shield that from the darkness you both are battling. So, go and meet this girl, Amery. She is the only one who can assist you."

I nodded, stepping back and turning away.

"Come back to visit us."

I couldn't manage to whisper a simple thank you, nor could I force myself to meet her warm gaze again, because doing so would mean confronting something within me that I still believe I lack the courage to face.

The townsfolk were aware of the events between Ro and me, but what Polly just expressed carries more weight than mere whispers, rumors, uncomfortable stares, and gossip.

It was the truth that I received a gift when I chose to love Ro. If she too sensed that something sacred was under threat, then my doubts might not be entirely unfounded. Yet, I still find myself questioning whether I truly know who my husband is. Was what transpired between us was a result of my newfound understanding, or had it always been there, a truth I was cleverly kept from recognizing?

With a heavy heart, I stopped by Ro's studio.

The space has gathered dust, and just around the corner before the narrow hallway leading to his office is his work station. On that wooden table lay his latest creation. The stunning dragon remained unfinished.

I moved closer, gently brushing the dust away, and my eyes fell upon the small emblem and his signature.

Ro was meant to deliver this dragon months ago. It was one of the most valuable and expensive pieces in his studio, yet the transaction never took place.

I’m not sure who commissioned this, but it came from someone in the Middle East, for whom, this piece represented power and a sacred legacy. It would have drawn a lot of attention to Ro, and his name could have also cast a shadow over the Middle Eastern market, unanimously garnering the limelight for him and as his wife, all I wanted was for him to succeed.

As I traced his signature, I paused at the dragon's feet, feeling engravings that were both familiar and unfamiliar to me.

I understand that many commissions include engravings that reflect the owner or the purpose of the artwork, but I don’t always know the details behind them.

It had been over a year since Ro began this project, dedicating countless hours to it.

After dusting a bit more, I squinted and concentrated. Even with the lights on, I struggled to read it clearly because the wood was still rough and unpolished.

Yet, somehow, I managed to decipher the words.

For my beloved wife, Willow.

I gasped, my throat tightening, as I stepped away from that piece to a different corner of the room.

What on earth did I just read?

My thoughts became increasingly chaotic. Just when I felt I was beginning to understand who Willow was, I found myself back to square one.

In the midst of my conflicting thoughts, I hurried to Ro's office to retrieve the ring we discovered that day at the manor. Despite my hesitation, I also grabbed the documents he had concerning the dragon piece.

With the ring and the file securely placed beside me in the passenger seat, I began my drive home. It was half past five in the evening, and as night fell, the town grew quieter and more desolate.

I knew that people tended to gather in certain spots like bars, restaurants, and drive-in movie theaters, or they preferred to stay home. Generally, the streets remained empty unless there was a festival. Yet, the silence felt suffocating.

Taking a deep breath, I made a turn and suddenly had to slam on the brakes.

Something struck the front of my car, but I couldn't see what it was. It happened too quickly for me to catch a glimpse.

I debated whether to get out and investigate or call for help and wait. Ultimately, I decided to step out. Something inside urged me to take the ring and the documents with me, so I followed that instinct.

As I approached the front of the car and looked from the pavement, I was horrified to find nothing there. Not even a creature, yet I was certain I had hit something. The dent in my car's bonnet told a certain story.

A horn sounded in the distance, followed by the blinding glare of headlights reflecting off my face, forcing me to shut my eyes. However, through the slits of my eyelids, I saw the lights growing smaller, and then suddenly, a car was barreling toward me.

"ARHHHH!!"