Chapter 8 ~ Ivana's Suspicion
1110 Words
"Madam," called Brant, the detective hired by Ivana.
Ivana walked toward him and took a seat in front of the man.
"So? Any progress on your investigation?" Ivana asked bluntly.
Brant remained silent for a moment. "I don't know if it's just my suspicion, but it feels like my movements are being watched. Even coming here, I had to be extremely careful," Brant explained, making Ivana pause. She suddenly recalled what Arsenio had said about her hired detective.
"I suspect that someone has leaked or is monitoring your movements, Madam. That’s why the person we’re investigating already knows they’re being looked into. So far, I haven’t found any evidence—not even his parents at the address you gave me. That house is empty," Brant stated, leaving Ivana stunned.
"I expected this… There's a spy near me. If he knows that I hired you to investigate his true identity, then the person who leaked this information must be—" Ivana fell silent. "Anna?" she thought to herself.
Ivana vividly remembered that the only person who knew she had hired a detective was Anna, since she was the one tasked with finding Brant. Wait… If Brant was also one of Arsenio’s men, then this was a trap.
"Sorry, I have to go now!" Ivana suddenly stood up.
"Why the rush, Madam? We haven't finished discussing my investigation," Brant said, surprised by Ivana's sudden decision.
"I want you to stop investigating that man. This ends here," Ivana stated firmly.
"But, Madam, I’ve been paid in full. How can I just stop halfway?" Brant protested. "This time, I will make another attempt to investigate him."
"No. That’s enough! Consider the payment a bonus," Ivana replied before quickly leaving.
Just as she was about to exit the restaurant, she saw Arsenio walking toward the entrance.
"Damn! I knew this was a trap," Ivana muttered before dashing toward the back of the restaurant. Before completely leaving, she hid behind a wall and peeked to see where Arsenio was headed.
As expected, Arsenio walked straight to Brant, and they began talking seriously, as if the world around them had momentarily disappeared. From her hiding spot, Ivana observed closely and noticed something different about the way Brant spoke. There was no sign of tension or disagreement on their faces. Instead, Brant looked like someone delivering an important report. Though she couldn’t hear them, their body language made it clear.
"So, I've really been deceived all this time. Anna and Brant… They’re Arsenio’s people. No wonder Brant never found anything in his investigation. They’ve just been playing me for a fool," Ivana thought, feeling furious and deeply frustrated. Her life had been perfectly manipulated by her own husband, Arsenio.
Moving swiftly, Ivana left through the back alley and hurried toward her car.
As she reached her car and was about to get in, someone grabbed the door.
"Where do you think you're going?"
That deep voice made Ivana’s body freeze. She turned her head and saw Arsenio standing there.
"How long do you plan on running from me, Ivana?"
"Let me go!" Ivana demanded, her eyes burning with fury.
"You really think I'll just let go of you that easily? Come home with me. Stop acting like a child!" Arsenio ordered.
"Acting like a child? How long are you going to keep deceiving me, Arsen?" Ivana snapped, glaring at him.
"We can talk about this. Do you really think running away and avoiding me will solve anything?" Arsenio pressed.
"I don’t want to talk to you anymore. I’m going to file for divorce, so stop bothering me!" Ivana declared.
People passing by started glancing at them, curious about the commotion.
"You’ll regret this stubbornness, Ivana!" Arsenio said with emphasis.
"Regret? The only thing I regret is ever living with you!" Ivana spat, making Arsenio freeze with an unreadable expression.
"Listen, Arsenio. I’m done being played. I don’t know what schemes you’re planning behind my back, but one thing is clear—I’m done with you and everything related to you!"
Thud!
Arsenio was visibly shocked by Ivana’s words.
Suddenly, he chuckled, making Ivana frown.
"Alright, then. I won’t pretend anymore," Arsenio said before tightening his grip on Ivana’s arm, making her wince in pain.
"You’re sick of me? You feel disturbed by my presence?" he whispered. "Well, too bad, Ivana. I’m never leaving your life! Whether you like it or not, I will make sure you hate me even more, but you’ll never escape from me. Remember that!"
Ivana looked at Arsenio with wide, fearful eyes, enduring the pain in her arm. The man standing before her felt like a stranger. The more he revealed his true self, the more unrecognizable he became. The loving, warm, and sweet husband she once knew was nothing but a facade—a poison that had slowly seeped into her soul. And now, that poison was eating her alive.
"I’ll give you one last chance, Ivana. Go home. Unless… you want something to happen to your father."
Thud!
Ivana’s eyes widened at Arsenio’s threat. He then released her arm and walked away, leaving her frozen in place.
"The truth is, whether it’s the past or the present, I still have no power against Arsen. If the result is going to be the same, then why was I even given a chance to return to the past? What am I supposed to fix by coming back here?" Ivana thought as her heart ached, feeling like it was being crushed by invisible hands.
"Ivana? Where have you been?" Joseph immediately questioned as soon as Ivana stepped into the house. She had no choice but to return home, worried about her father’s safety.
At the same time, Arsen’s car pulled up and came to a stop. Ivana and Joseph both turned to look as Arsen stepped out.
"You’re home too, Arsen?" Joseph asked.
"Yes, Father. Ivana finally decided to come back," Arsen replied.
"You two… If there’s a problem, solve it quickly. And Ivana, don’t run away from your problems. Talk it out with your husband—don’t make another foolish decision," Joseph advised with a smile.
"Alright, I’ll head inside now. You two sort this out. Arsen, take care of your wife," Joseph added.
"Yes, Father."
Joseph walked into the grand house, leaving Ivana and Arsen alone.
"Smart choice, sweetheart," Arsen said with a satisfied smile, though Ivana maintained a blank expression. "Now, let’s go inside."
He wrapped an arm around Ivana’s waist, guiding her toward the house. Even though she tried to move away and break free from his grasp, Arsen refused to let go, forcing her to walk beside him.
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- Writer
