The Devil I Loved

Chapter 5 : A hidden truth

Alexandria’s POV

I stared at Theodora, and for a moment I couldn’t bring myself to answer.

Do I truly not love Elijah anymore? Or is it something I'm telling myself because hating him for what he did to my family is easier?

The question makes something twist painfully in my chest.

“No.” The answer came out faster than I expected.

“No, I could never love him again, not after what he did.” I said, but I wasn't sure if I was trying to convince her or myself.

Theodora studies my face, clearly unconvinced.

“And you’re sure about this?”

“Yes.” I pull my hands from hers and quickly stand up. “The part of me that loved Elijah doesn't exist anymore.”

At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.

Theodora sighs. “I still don’t like this.”

“Neither do I, but I can't just walk away from this chance, and we only have to stay legally married for twelve months.”

She doesn't respond, she knows me well enough to know she can’t change my mind on this decision.

“When do you have to move in?”

“Tonight.”

Her eyes widened. “Tonight?”

I nod my head. “And I should probably get going.”

Theodora pulls me into a final hug. “Make sure you always update me and take care of yourself.”

“I will, I promise.”

As I walk to the front door, the reality of what I'm about to do settles over me.

Tonight I start living with Elijah, and for the next twelve months I have to pretend this marriage is real.

I stare out the car window as Los Angeles passes by, trying to process the fact that in a month, I'm actually going to be a wife.

By the time I get back to the Torres mansion, it’s already getting dark.

The car finally comes to a halt, I step out and walk towards the house. Elijah is already waiting for me by the front door.

“What took you so long?”

“That’s none of your business.”

He ignores me and turns to walk back inside. “The maid will show you the way to your room.”

I follow her as she leads me upstairs, eventually she stops in front of a pair of double doors.

“Here you are ma’am.”

“Thank you.”

I open the doors, the room is enormous. A large bed sits in the center with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the gardens and a huge walk-in closet already filled with clothes.

I sit on the bed and reach for my phone to dial my mothers number.

She answers after a few rings.

“Alexandria?”

Her voice immediately makes my mind a little bit more at ease.

“Hi, mum.”

“Where have you been, you haven’t called me since you arrived.”

“I know I'm sorry, today has been a rollercoaster.”

I hear her sigh. “Are you okay?”

“Yes”

“Did you find what you were looking for?”

I hesitate for a moment. “I found something.”

Her voice immediately changes. “What did you find?”

“I can’t explain everything over the phone, but I think I found a lead, something that could help dad.”

There is silence on the other end. “Are you sure about this?”

“No.” I quietly admit. “But I have to try.”

She doesn't say anything for a moment.

“Just be careful Alex, and stay away from that family as much as you can.”

I close my eyes. “That’s going to be difficult.”

“Why?”

I swallow before answering. “Because I'm marrying Elijah.”

Silence.

“Mum?”

“I’m sorry, what?”

I let out a small sigh. “I promise to explain everything better when I can.”

She sounds worried but doesn't push me.

“Just promise me you’ll come back if everything becomes too much.”

“I promise mum, I love you and I'll call you later.”

“I love you too sweetheart.”

I hung up and looked at the envelope sitting across on the bedside table. I wasn’t sure I was ready to open it and find out what could be inside, not after all that happened today.

I place my phone on top of the envelope and lie back on the bed.

My eyes stare at the ceiling. Eventually, exhaustion takes over and I fall asleep.

The next morning, I wake up to a knock on my door.

I sit up, still half asleep. “Come in.”

The maid Agnes walks in with a tray of breakfast eggs and fruit. “Good morning ma’am, Mr. Torres asked me to inform you to be ready in an hour.”

“What for?”

“He didn’t say.”

Of course he didn’t.

“Okay thank you Agnes.”

I quickly eat the food, then get out of bed and head towards the bathroom.

An hour later, I walk downstairs wearing a simple black dress, my hair falling in loose waves around my shoulders. I spot Elijah waiting at the bottom of the stairs.

“Took you long enough.”

I simply roll my eyes at him. “Where are we going?”

“You’ll find out.”

“Don’t you ever give straight answers?”

“Not when you ask unnecessary questions.”

God, he’s irritating.

We leave the mansion and get into the car, and the drive is quiet until we pull up outside of his family company.

The moment I step out of the car, cameras start flashing. I freeze. There are photographers everywhere.

“What the hell is this?”

Elijah steps beside me. “Today my father is officially handing over the company, and you’ll also be officially introduced as my future wife.”

“You could have warned me.”

He looks at me calmly. “You’re my fiancée now, many people are going to want to see you. And plus, if i had told you the truth, you wouldn’t have come.”

Before I can respond, he places his hand on my lower back. “Now smile.”

I immediately stiffen as we make our way inside. The whole ordeal is painfully long.

Nathaniel announced that he would be stepping down as the main head of the company and that the position would be passed on to his son, Elijah.

I was introduced as his future wife with our wedding happening in less than a month. The cameras flashed rapidly.

The entire thing feels ridiculous but I keep smiling even though I want to run.

For the next several minutes, we pose for pictures, Elijah’s hand remaining firmly on my back.

To anyone watching, we probably looked like the perfect couple.

Finally, after a while it was over and we were headed back to the mansion.

Immediately the car stopped in front of the house, I stepped out and made my way to my room, not bothering to say another word to Elijah.

After reaching my room, I sat on the bed with the envelope in my hand, taking a deep breath before finally opening it.

The first few pages were normal letters, financial records, photographs of my father and a few business partners.

But as I keep turning the pages the transactions and timelines didn’t seem to add up.

Finally I got a particular document and my hands begin to shake as a stare at the signature at the bottom of the page.

I know that signature, I’ve seen it thousands of times.

My mother’s.

I stare at the document again, hoping that I am somehow mistaken.

But there is no mistake, my mother signed it.

And the other signature is the one of Nathaniel Torres.

Millions of questions begin to rush in my head at once.

‘Why was my mother’s signature on one of the documents that was used to incriminate my father?’

‘What secret business could she and Nathaniel Torres have together?’

‘Could she be part of the reasons my father was arrested all along?’

‘And why did she never tell me?’