Chapter 101 So?

Chapter 101 So?
I have decided that I will not confront him, Not yet. I wanted to see the change in his demeanour. If it was truly manipulation, He would be overly affectionate to me. 
But if it was some grudge with Arden. He would take it out on me as well.
Now, all that remained was testing.
When the front door opened later that evening, I was sitting in the living room, a book open in my lap that I hadn't read a single word of.
​“Hey,” I greeted him, forcing a smile, keeping my voice light though my heart was constricting. 
“Welcome home. How was your day?”
​Vince loosened his tie, tossing his briefcase nearby, displaying his charming smile.
“Nothing much. Just work, and work, and work. What about you?”
​“Same.” I forced a small, compliant smile. 
He paused, his sapphire eyes locking onto me. 
He walked over, the familiar, commanding scent of his filling the space between us. I had no choice but to look up.
“My secretary informed me you came by.”
My mind had screamed that time: Run. Get out of here before he sees you– which exactly I did. 
“Yeah, I wanted to have lunch with you” I replied impassively, searching for even a flicker of guilt or tension in his eyes. 
There was none. 
“But, she informed me you were in the middle of an important meeting. So I came back. I didn’t want to disturb you.”
“You can disturb me anytime, Alyssa. I would do the same. I won’t mind having a lovely lunch with my beautiful wife.”
​Vince sat down beside me, immediately sliding an arm around my shoulders and pulling me into his side. 
But this time, I wasn’t sure about his affection.
​“What was the meeting for?” I asked, keeping my tone casual, like a curious wife. 
“You don’t usually schedule meetings around lunch. Was it too important?” 
Pulling away slightly, my hands held his wrist, pressing my thumb over his pulse, wondering if I should trust it or not.
​Vince’s expression didn't even twitch. “Hmm. In a way.”
​“In what way?”
​He tilted his head, a slow, charming smirk spreading across his lips, “Oh? You seem interested.”
“I waited twenty minutes before I left.” I faked a pout, pressing his palm into my cheek, closing my eyes. 
I desperately wanted to trust him. To hold faith in his heart but after what I heard…. I wasn’t certain anymore.
​“Sorry about that.” He freed his hand from mine, his fingers gently tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear, his thumb caressing my cheek. 
“You could have just given me a call, and I would have ended it sooner, Alyssa.”
“That wouldn't be a surprise then.” I mumbled, averting my gaze, faking sadness, “I wanted to surprise you like you do.”
Vince’s eyes softened, a look of profound tenderness carved there.
“Ah… that’s why.” He let out a gentle laughter, “Maybe I should be mentally prepared for a surprise now.” 
​“Who knows..?”
Which now sounded like the wicked laugh I had heard in the hallway.
​”The meeting was work, my dear. Work is temporary.” Vince whispered with protective reassurance. 
He was rewriting the narrative right to my face– I saw it now.
“An old competitor. But the second if I had known of you waiting out there, I would gladly wrap it up.” He smiled, stroking me endearingly.
“Nothing matters more to me than you. You know that, right?” 
“Mhm.”
He slid his hand down to the nape of my neck, gently pulling me closer until our lips collided in a beautiful kiss.
He was playing his part flawlessly. 
For three days, I did. 
For three days, I endured his touches, his perfectly timed compliments, and the suffocating warmth of his embrace.
​I couldn't play the pawn anymore.
It was late at night, Vince was working a file in his lap, looking entirely at peace. 
He looked up when I walked into our room, a flawless, affectionate smile gracing his lips instantly.
​”Ah, my beautiful woman,” he smiled, setting the file aside and extending his hand out to me. “Come here.”
I was right before him, my hands clenched firmly. The heartbreak I had been suppressing finally breached the surface, bringing tears in my eyes. 
​Vince’s smile faltered, his eyes narrowing at my trembling form. He tossed the file aside and got up.
“Alyssa? What’s wrong? Are you hurt?" 
​"Did…” I swallowed hard, “Did you hire… Ken?”
His face went blank. Vince froze mid-motion. The sudden, absolute stillness that took over his body frightened me.
​”Did you build the stage, Vince?” My voice cracked, an agonizing sob escaped, leaving me utterly vulnerable. Tears streamed down my face.
“Every tragedy... every single crisis that made me run to you... did you… did planned my entire misery just to play the fucking hero?”
​Silence.
I was breathless.
Desperately praying for him to deny it to tell me I was insane, to laugh it off, to hold me and tell me it was a sick joke. 
I wanted my saviour. 
“Tell me, Vince. Did you do it or not?!”
The silence stretched for five seconds… ten seconds, an eternity, confirming the horror. My heart shattered into unrecognizable dust.
​”Say something!... Please” I screamed, choking, clutching my chest as the emotional pain made it difficult to speak. 
“Look-look at me and tell me you didn't use my grief! Tell me… tell me I'm not just a pawn you used to destroy Arden!”
​Slowly, very slowly, Vince turned his head.
​When his eyes met mine, my breath hitched in my throat. The warmth, the devotion, the tenderness—every single drop of the husband I loved had vanished. 
I took a step back. 
“Yes. I did.” 
“Wh… What..? Wh-why?” I asked, completely terrified of his unbothered reaction.
His dark eyes were entirely devoid of remorse. It was the face of the monster.
​He didn't blink, didn't apologize, just looked at my shattered, weeping form. I was sobbing my heart out.
“How could you, Vince….? Why?!” I cried wretchedly.
​Slowly, a cruel, razor-sharp smirk curved the corner of his lips.
​"So?”