CHAPTER 71

Alexander stared at the images on his phone, his mind racing. The photographs were troubling, and he needed to be sure before making any accusations. Alexander couldn’t afford to act impulsively; his decisions had to be grounded in facts. His instincts told him he needed to confront Samantha, but he knew doing so without more information would be reckless.

If these pictures were legitimate, then why was Samantha involved? Alexander pondered. What could her reasons be? If they were a setup, someone was trying to manipulate him, and he needed to tread carefully. He resolved to approach the situation methodically, ensuring that his next steps were well-considered.

Alexander packed his belongings and prepared to leave the office as the day ended. He knew he needed patience. Gathering more evidence was crucial, and he couldn't afford to make a mistake that could jeopardize everything he had worked for.

Arriving at the building's entrance, Alexander checked his watch. Theodore, his manager, would be arriving shortly. The routine of the end of the workday was both a comfort and a distraction from the gnawing concern in his mind.

Samantha was already at the entrance while waiting for her driver. Alexander positioned himself close to her, though he remained silent, his thoughts occupied with the troubling images.

Moments later, Theodore pulled up in the sleek Rolls Royce, its polished exterior reflecting the city lights. Alexander moved towards the car, relieved to be on his way home and away from the day’s stress. Just as he was about to step into the vehicle, Samantha spoke up, her voice light and airy as she tried to sound cute. “Alexander, could you drive me home, please?”

Alexander hesitated, taken aback by her request. He forced a polite smile, maintaining his composure despite the confusion. “I’m sorry, Samantha, but our houses are in opposite directions, and I need to meet my wife. However, I can order an Uber for you if you’d like.”

Before Alexander could say more, Samantha's eyes widened in relief as she noticed a car pulling up behind him. She quickly shifted her stance, flashing a relieved smile. “Oh, never mind. My car is here.” She waved her hand dismissively, her voice lighter as she hurried towards the approaching vehicle.

Alexander watched, slightly stunned by her abrupt change in demeanor. Samantha slipped into her car with a quick, almost awkward goodbye. “Thanks anyway, Alexander! Bye!”

As she closed the door and the car drove away, Alexander remained where he stood, a mix of confusion and concern on his face. He shook his head slightly, unsure what to make of her behavior. With a resigned sigh, he turned and entered his Rolls Royce, heading home.

Upon arriving at the house, Alexander was eager to see Margaret. He found her in the living room, nestled comfortably on the sofa with a book. He approached her with a warm smile, trying to shed the weight of the day’s events.

“Hi, love,” he said, wrapping his arms around her from behind and gently kissing her neck. “I’ve missed you.”

Margaret turned, her eyes lighting up with affection. “I’ve missed you too,” she replied softly, her voice a comforting melody. She snuggled closer, resting her head on his shoulder.

Alexander guided her to the dining table, where a candlelit dinner awaited. The soft glow of the candles created a romantic atmosphere, and he took her hand, leading her to the table.

As they enjoyed their meal, Alexander couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss with Margaret. Her smiles seemed a little forced, and her laughter didn’t quite reach her eyes. He watched her closely, his concern growing despite his efforts to remain cheerful.

“How was the hospital visit, Margaret?” he asked, his voice laced with genuine concern. “You seem a bit off tonight.”

Margaret looked up, her eyes meeting his with surprise and apprehension. “Oh, it’s nothing,” she said quickly, though her voice lacked warmth. “Just a long day.”

Alexander reached across the table, taking her hand in his. “I hope it’s not stress?”

Margaret squeezed his hand, a hint of a smile returning to her lips. “I appreciate that, Alexander. It was just my normal therapy session. Okay, I’m just a bit fatigued. I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

Later that evening, as they were finishing up their dessert, Alexander took a deep breath. “I’ve been thinking,” he began, a thoughtful expression on his face. “How about we start looking for a space for your new business? I want to help you get started as soon as possible.”

Margaret’s face lit up with joy, her eyes sparkling. “Really? That would be amazing! I’ve been so excited about it.”

As she began to express her gratitude, Margaret unconsciously placed a hand on her belly, a gesture that seemed automatic. Realizing her slip, she quickly pulled back, trying to play it off. “Oh, it’s nothing. I was just… adjusting my posture.”

Alexander’s brow furrowed in confusion. “What do you mean ‘nothing’?”

Margaret gave a small, nervous laugh. “Just forget about it.”

Alexander leaned in and kissed her reassuringly. “Seeing you smile makes me happy.”

Margaret’s excitement was palpable, and she enthusiastically embraced him. “Thank you so much, Alexander. You don’t know how much this means to me.”

Margaret fell asleep quickly, her exhaustion catching up after the long day. Alexander watched her for a moment, the soft rise and fall of her breathing a comforting sight. He gently pulled the covers up her shoulders, ensuring she was comfortable before heading to his study.

In the dim light of his study, Alexander retrieved his phone and pulled up the troubling images again. He felt a gnawing urgency to solve the mystery surrounding them.

Alexander quickly forwarded the images: “I need to verify the authenticity of these photos and identify the woman in them. It's urgent.”

As he waited for a response, Alexander poured himself a bourbon, trying to steady his nerves. The warmth of the liquor provided temporary solace, but his mind remained restless. He paced around his study, his thoughts consumed by the images and their potential implications.

It wasn’t long before his phone buzzed with a reply from the investigator. The message was brief but promising:

“Received the images. Working on verification and identification. Will update shortly.”

As the night wore on, Alexander’s mind was still tangled in the web of uncertainty, but exhaustion eventually overcame him. He went to the bedroom and slipped under the covers beside Margaret.

Early the following day, Margaret stirred from her slumber, gradually waking to the soft sound of Alexander’s phone vibrating on the nightstand. The persistent buzzing and pinging of incoming messages broke the calm of the morning.

Margaret blinked awake, her curiosity piqued by the constant notifications. She carefully moved closer to Alexander, trying not to disturb him. The phone’s screen displayed a flurry of messages, and Margaret’s curiosity got the better of her. She reached over, gently lifting the phone from the nightstand and trying to unlock it.

Just as she was about to swipe the message, Alexander’s eyes fluttered open. He saw Margaret reaching for his phone and, still groggy from sleep, his instinctive reaction was one of confusion and concern.

Alexander, now more alert, sat up slightly and rubbed his eyes. “The password is 20102008. What’s going on?”

Margaret looked up, caught off guard by his sudden wakefulness. “I’m sorry, I just—”

“Margaret?” he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep. “What are you looking for?”