What Loving You Cost Me

Chapter 3- Meet My Sister

Elizabeth

I woke up in a new room. Yes, I did it. I moved out of his room, just like he said.

He didn’t stop assuring me it was only going to be temporary. That the woman is a very busy person. And not to forget the promise he made me, their relationship won’t go past the engagement. Once he’s done with the project and everything is settled, he will break it off.

I couldn’t cry through the night. There were no tears left.

When I woke up, I didn’t want to get out of bed.

There was a knock on the door.

“Elizabeth.”

It was Daniel, but I stayed quiet.

Another knock.

“Open the door.”

“I’m fine,” I said, even though I wasn’t. “Sorry I couldn’t make breakfast. I promise it won’t happen again.”

He stood there for a few seconds… then I heard his footsteps fade away.

I closed my eyes again.I didn’t want to see him. I didn’t want to see anyone.

After a while, I forced myself up and walked to the mirror.

I stared at myself.

Maybe I’m overthinking this.

He made it clear, multiple times, that it was for business. That nothing has changed.

I’m still his wife.That hasn’t changed.

“I’m Elizabeth Lancaster,” I muttered to myself.

“I’m his wife.”

I’ve gone through worse in the past four years. I’m not going to break now.

I won’t.

But as I kept looking at my reflection, it dawned on me.

For someone who is only twenty-five… I didn’t just look older.

I felt it.

I could see it in how I live, how I think, even in how I dress.

I walked out of the room the moment I heard his car leave the gates.

I had to step outside today.The house needed to be restocked.

Victor, the driver, took me to the supermarket and helped me get a few things.

My husband and I lived a little isolated from the rest of the neighborhood. Our house sat on a hill, and it was almost a long drive just to get into the city.

I didn’t have friends around there. The most I ever did was exchange pleasantries with an old lady at the shop.

She was the only person I had ever had a real conversation with.

The closest person I had to a friend, aside from my family, was Hannah, my mother’s best friend’s daughter.

And even she didn’t know much about my married life.

I got back home quickly and started putting the house in order.

I just hoped that after this, after proving to him that I truly loved him and not because of his wealth, he would finally make us public.

Maybe then, I would get to know his family properly.

It surprised me when I heard the sound of a car engine through the gate.

It was only 12:30 p.m.

If it was Daniel, then he was home earlier than expected.

I quickly moved to the window and peeked outside. His car was already parked.

Then his door opened.The passenger door opened too.

My heart sank.

He came with her.

I heard her laugh before I saw her face.

When I finally did… I swallowed hard.

She looked beautiful. Tall… expensive.

Everything about her stood out. The way she dressed, the way she carried herself. Nothing like me and my loose floral dresses.

She wore jeans, a blazer, and heels. Simple, but it fit her perfectly.

She looked exactly like how anyone would picture the wife of Daniel Lancaster.

Daniel walked around the car and reached for her hand without hesitation.

He said something to her, and she laughed, before they both started walking toward the house together.

I wanted to move. To go back to my room and hide.

But I couldn’t.It felt like I was stuck to the floor.

The front door opened and they walked in immediately.

I quickly turned to face them.

Our eyes met immediately, and my stomach flipped.

What I didn’t expect was her wide, contagious smile.

Before I could react, she hurried over and pulled me into a hug.

“Oh, you must be Elizabeth,” she squealed.

I stood there, frozen, my eyes shifting to Daniel. He was watching me, almost like a silent warning in his gaze.

So I did what an obedient wife would do.

I hugged her back.

When she pulled away, I forced a smile.

She looked so happy to see me.

“Babe, you didn’t tell me she was this gorgeous,” she said, turning to him.

Babe.

She gets to call him that.

But that wasn’t even the part that hurt the most.

“Your brother told me so much about you. It’s finally nice to meet you,” she added, reaching out her hand.

“You can call me Hayley.”

I am not his wife anymore. I’m his sister.

I had to force back the tears threatening to fall.

This… this broke something in me.

I stared at her outstretched hand for a second too long before finally taking it.

Her grip was warm. Firm.

“Nice to meet you,” I said softly, my voice not quite sounding like mine.

“Daniel never told me he had such a quiet sister,” Hayley laughed lightly, still holding my hand for a moment before letting go.

I forced a small smile.

Daniel said nothing.He just stood there, watching me.

“Your place is beautiful,” she added, looking around with genuine interest. “I’ve heard so much about it, but this… it’s even better in person.”

“It’s… nice,” I replied.

My home.

And yet, standing there, it didn’t feel like it anymore.

She turned back to me, her smile still easy, still kind.

“I hope you don’t mind me staying for a bit,” she said. “Daniel said it would be okay.”

My chest tightened.

I glanced at him.He didn’t look away.

“Of course,” I said quietly.

Because what else was I supposed to say?

Because I had already agreed.

I was going to prove to him that I loved him.

I couldn’t breathe.

I watched her as she looked around, taking everything in. I avoided Daniel’s gaze until he finally took her upstairs.

Only then did I let out the breath I had been holding in my chest.

Tears slid down my face.

I quickly moved into the kitchen, trying to calm myself.

Do I have to cry every time he hurts me?

Isn’t this something I’m supposed to be used to by now?

My shaky hands reached for a glass, and I gulped down the water.

Then I splashed some from the tap onto my face, almost choking in the process.

The next thing I knew, arms wrapped around me from behind.

“Easy… breathe,” Daniel said calmly into my ear.

“Just breathe. All this will be over soon. It’s just for a few days.”

I didn’t say a word as I tried to catch my breath.

I pulled out of his grip and turned to face him, forcing a small smile as I looked into his eyes.

“So now… I’m your sister,” I said, giving a small nod.

“It’s okay. I’ll do it. I’ll play my part as your sister.”

Relief flashed across his face.

I was just tired. He wasn’t going to change his mind.

“I’ll try to keep my side of the promise,” I added quietly. “I hope you keep yours.”

His lips curved into a smile as he nodded.

“Good.”

Then his expression shifted slightly.

“Get along with her,” he said, his tone more serious now. “And don’t mess this up.”

I nodded.

“We stick to our promise,” we both said almost at the same time.

Then he walked out, leaving me alone in the kitchen to start preparing something for dinner.

I stood there for a while, staring at nothing.

Then slowly, I placed my hand over my stomach.

“Just a few days,” I whispered.

Even I didn’t believe it.

Little did I know all it would take was a lie to change everything.