Her Wish

Her Wish
Lance’s POV

At Lance’s Mansion

I had just left Diane’s room. Do I feel bad? Yes. Would anything change? Technically, yes. Something would change in the sense that whatever it was I thought was growing inside me for her would have to be forgotten.

Diane was such a beautiful and calm woman, someone who could light up a room the moment she walked in. I knew I shouldn’t compare her to Victoria, but the truth is, she made life easier than Victoria did. I never thought a day like this would come. Although, I doubt that these feelings were ever real. Maybe I just let my head harbor some strange thoughts and allowed my heart and body to react in ways they shouldn’t have… probably because I was lonely. Because who wouldn’t be after his fiancée chose a fucking states over him?

Victoria and I met in the States when I went there for my master’s degree. We fell in love at first sight, or at least we thought we did. Within six months, we were already engaged. It felt like the best decision I had ever made at the time. We were getting ready to return to Graham City to see our families and fix our wedding date when she suddenly started showing disinterest in leaving the States.

Fast forward to when I got ready to leave, she swore she wouldn’t stop me, and she never did. Instead, she threw the engagement ring in my face, claiming I didn’t love her. She called me selfish because I didn’t let things always go her way. Victoria was a strong feminist, and she believed a man should always bend to a woman’s will just because of her gender.

But Diane? Diane brought out… or almost brought out something strange in me. Something I didn’t know existed. Something I wish I would never experience again.

The plan had always been to secure my inheritance, but at some point, I didn’t mind a few distractions. I didn’t even mind that it was her… Diane. She was that kind of distraction that didn’t feel like one until it was too late.

And now, Victoria had returned. I couldn’t stop wondering why she changed her mind. Did she hear anything? Did someone tell her something?

Anyway, her return was good. I needed it. I needed her to get my head straight again. I needed to stay on track because I was almost losing it.

“You’ve been in there almost all day,” Victoria’s voice met me as I walked into the room, shutting the door behind me. I almost jumped.

I sighed. She wasn’t even supposed to be here. In my room.

“This is 11:22 a.m., Victoria,” I said, breathing out. “Stop being dramatic. I’ve only been in there for an hour.”

“And you think that’s not too much time?” Her eyes followed me as I walked to the bed and sat down, rubbing my temple.

“Victoria…”

“Lance, what is really going on?” she cut in sharply. “And why the hell do you keep calling me by my name?”

I knew exactly what she was talking about. She hated it when I addressed her like that.

“I’m sorry,” I said, trying to sound calm. “It just keeps slipping out before I can say the right thing.”

She moved closer to me, standing with her hands on her hips. “And?” She raised a brow.

“That’s Diane,” I said shortly. She needed to know. It wasn’t like she wouldn’t find out anyway, but I figured it was better she heard it from me. “She’s my wife.”

“What?” she thundered.

My eyes widened a little. The words “my wife” sounded strange coming out of my mouth. Too calm. Too real.

“Just on paper, babe,” I added quickly, hoping she would get it.

She let out a small laugh. “On paper? So, I’m guessing the pregnancy came as a result of an experiment then?”

I sighed. “That’s not mine. The child isn’t mine.”

She went quiet, probably trying to process what I just said.

“What happens to me, then?” she whispered after a while.

“Nothing,” I said. “We’re stuck together forever.”

“And her?”

“My love, it’s just for a few years. Once my inheritance is transferred to me, the contract will be annulled.” I tried to sound convincing… to her and maybe to myself too.

She brushed her hair back with her fingers and exhaled slowly. “Lance, you needed a wife to get your inheritance, and you chose her? Over me… your fiancée? At that point, you couldn’t reach out to me?”

“Victoria, you blocked me,” I reminded her.

“Well, I didn’t block your email,” she shot back.

“How was I supposed to know that?” I responded quickly.

“You should have tried,” she started to say.

“It’s just business, babe. A deal. You shouldn’t worry about anything.” I tried to convince her, standing up to her height. I cupped her face with my hands, looking straight into her brown eyes. Those eyes had always had a way of weakening my knees.

“Do you even still love me, Lance?” she asked quietly. Her voice was soft, but there was something strong underneath.

I blinked and let go of her face. “Yes, I do,” I said softly, almost like I was trying to make myself believe it. But I had to, right? I should.

While in the States, we barely fought. We had a good relationship. I had only my eyes on her. No matter what, no one ever took her place in my life. So why not? There was nothing wrong with going back to what we used to be. Diane and I would never be a thing. But Victoria and I could be more than what we planned before. We could be that couple everyone thought Diane and I were… the perfect pair with our kids running around the house like it was a playground.

“You ignored me and did what you thought was best for you,” I said quietly. “You were only considerate when it came to yourself. But regardless, I love you. I loved you. I still do, Victoria Monroe. I just hope you’ve become less selfish, less inconsiderate, and more pure in heart… and prettier with your smile.”

She sighed, trying to hide her smile and the small blush forming on her cheeks. But I could see it even if she didn’t show it clearly.

“Lance,” she called softly.

I looked at her and gestured for her to speak, showing that I was listening.

She held my face, cupping it gently. “There are two other houses in this compound, right?”

I nodded, not sure where she was going with this.

“I want her out of this particular mansion,” she said firmly, her tone changing. “Move her things to either of the other two.”

“What?” I blurted out, staring at her.