My Cold Husband

The Truth They Hide From Me

Janine POV

It had been a month since Lucas went home. His three-day business trip had become a week, then two weeks, and now—it had been an entire month with no word.

The daily calls or Skype sessions we used to have became rare, sometimes not happening at all. I was often the one calling him now, but he didn’t answer.

I was heading home from work. When I got to the gate, I saw Nilo standing outside with Bess.

“Why are you two always together? What are you up to? And wait—why are you outside when you could go inside?”

I looked at them both and noticed Bess glancing at Nilo meaningfully.

“Your husband’s here,” Nilo said, making me smile—he probably wanted to surprise me. Lucas always liked doing that, but I couldn’t help but feel thrilled.

I hurried inside, grinning from ear to ear. I had missed him so much!

I found Lucas sitting on the sofa, deep in thought. Of course, my husband would be worrying that I was upset or angry at him. But a little misunderstanding like this would pass once we talked properly.

He looked up as I approached. I ran to him and hugged him tightly. I had missed him terribly. He hugged me back, but not with the same eagerness as mine.

“Lucas, why didn’t you tell me you were coming home? I could’ve cooked for you, or at least reserved a table at a restaurant for us tonight.” I pressed a kiss to his lips. Yet he remained silent.

“Janine, I need to go.”

I froze. What did he mean? I also noticed our household staff bringing more of his luggage from our room.

“Y-you’re leaving again? And why are you carrying so much?” I asked, confused. He looked at me coldly, unreadable as ever.

“Yes. And I must leave immediately with my new assistant. I only waited for you to inform me. I’m going to Bali because our company there has a major problem, and only I can fix it.”

I didn’t know what to say. I felt hurt. Did he have no care for me? If it were me facing problems, would he be this serious about solving them?

“C-could you postpone it just for tonight? Just one night next to you. I miss you so much.”

His eyebrows furrowed, clearly not pleased with my request.

“s**t, Janine! You don’t understand the situation! They need me there. So many employees are struggling. Can’t you think beyond yourself for once?!”

Why was he suddenly angry? I hadn’t said anything wrong. It didn’t seem like a big deal to me.

“Lucas, I’m only asking. Please don’t get angry. I’m just asking, hoping you wouldn’t leave for even one night, so we could bond… maybe help you forget the stress.”

I explained calmly, hoping to soothe him. He looked tense, like he was under pressure.

“I already said no, didn’t I?! Why are you so persistent? When orders aren’t followed, you always make a scene!”

Wait, what was happening? Why was he reacting this strongly to what I said?

“Hold on, Lucas. What are you saying to me?! Why are you mad? I’m just asking! If it’s not possible, fine!” I shouted in frustration.

He just avoided my gaze and picked up his keys from the coffee table.

“I’m leaving, Janine. I’ll call you when I get there. I don’t want to fight.”

He left just like that, without resolving anything. What was happening to him? Did our argument mean nothing? Did he not care about my feelings?

It had already been a week without communication. I didn’t want to be the first to call; I wanted to maintain some pride.

But he called me once he arrived, just to say he was okay. I wanted to apologize so we wouldn’t fight further.

I went to the garden to clear my head. Missing Lucas so much made it hard to breathe.

While I sat trying to calm my feelings, I noticed Sophia approaching. I intended to leave immediately; I didn’t want to speak to her. But she grabbed my arm.

“We need to talk,” she said seriously, holding my arm firmly.

“I don’t feel like talking if you’re just going to tease and annoy me.”

I pulled my arm away from her.

“This is important. About your husband.”

She smiled, and I felt a flicker of irritation mixed with curiosity. I still didn’t trust her, but I decided to stay.

“If you give me a chance, I’ll tell you something very important. I know you have many questions… and I’m the only one who can answer them. Why is your husband like that, your relationship like, and where is he now? ”

I turned to face her, weighing her sincerity.

“Okay, let’s talk,” I said, sitting down across from her.

She settled into her seat and gave me a mischievous grin.

“See? You get nervous when the topic is Lucas,” she laughed loudly.

I shook my head. She was just teasing me. I tried to stand, but she stopped me.

“Sit. You’re still stubborn. Sit down.” She tugged me down, and I had no choice but to obey, feeling nervous.

“I wasn’t planning to tell you this. I don’t really care about you… But we became sort of friends, not as close as your sister though.”

Her tone softened suddenly.

“But I realized… you’ve also been a victim here.” She stared seriously into my eyes.

“I’m confused. Just get to the point, what do you mean?” I laughed nervously.

“Easy, girl, let’s take it slow, okay? I don’t want you to faint, and if you collapse, I’ll get blamed, duh.”

I nodded.

“The way you met Lucas and the way your friendship developed wasn’t random. It was all planned.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re probably shocked, huh?” I nodded again.

“Here’s the thing: Lucas bumping into you, introducing himself, being kind… it was all part of our plan.”

My heart sank. Was this true? How could this have happened?

“One time, we saw you at the cafeteria with your best friend. You were supposed to meet Lucas there, but you left quickly. So we followed you. You must have been annoyed at Cindy back then. Because you were walking slowly and distracted, you didn’t realize we overtook you. Then boom! He bumped into you. That’s when Lucas gave you his calling card. Jewel had ordered it.”

It still didn’t feel believable.

“Why would Lucas intentionally bump into me? He’s not a kid!” I asked.

“Because he was crazy in love with your sister. That’s it. He’s madly in love with her. It hurts, doesn’t it?” She smiled at my reaction, and I felt a pang in my chest.

“How could it have been planned? I was the one calling Lucas, and I took forever to call because I was shy.”

“You took so long that we almost gave up hope. We were about to make the next plan when you finally called. That’s why Lucas befriended you.”

I swallowed hard, holding back tears. Maybe it was all a joke… but it felt real.

“Everything Lucas showed me felt real. Are you seriously just joking with me, Sophia?”

“All of that was a big act, girl. He had to do it, even though he hated getting close to you. Otherwise, your sister wouldn’t have responded to Lucas. He loved your sister so much that he even made you like him. That’s why our plan worked.”

I still didn’t understand… or maybe I didn’t want to.

“How did you succeed?!” I asked angrily.

“You’re so silly, Janine! When we realized you were starting to like him, your sister accepted Lucas. Because Lucas was obsessed with her, he proposed immediately! Jewel loved him too, and to make you feel hurt, she agreed.”

I wanted to cry but had to hold myself together. That was in the past. Now, Lucas and I were okay. We just needed his explanation.

“Your sister thought she’d won, because at the engagement party, you looked like you’d been hit by the moon and the earth. She was thrilled. But we didn’t know you had a stronger plan yourself,” she laughed loudly.

She lit a cigarette—an indication she had more to reveal.

“Jewel cried when she saw you and Lucas together in bed, both naked. She never thought Lucas could do that to her… and to you. She was even more hurt when your father ordered you and Lucas to get married.”

She exhaled deeply, taking another puff of her cigarette, her face showing her frustration at recalling the past.

“I thought Jewel had given up because of your father’s order. But she went to him, begged him to revoke it, because she knew you were the one at fault. But your father didn’t agree.”

I smiled. Thankful to my father, for considering me in some way.

“But I thought it was for your own good, Janine. But no—everything was part of a big plan, including your father helping you.”

I was shocked. A plan? Beyond what they had orchestrated? My heart ached.

“Your father spoke to Lucas, telling him to marry you for Jewel’s sake.”

I couldn’t believe it. Was this some crazy joke?

“Why would he ask Lucas to marry me, and for my sister? That seems so shallow.”

“Because of the inheritance left by your grandfather. Everything your grandfather left will go to you, and the only one allowed to inherit it with you is the man who marries you. That’s why your father used Lucas and… your own foolishness in love. Everything you could give, you gave him. That’s why Lucas can inherit your grandfather’s fortune. A little manipulation and your joy went through the roof!” She laughed wickedly.

“At first, Lucas refused your father’s request. He was angry with you and didn’t want to see you because he hated your face.”

I trembled, feeling weak.

“But when Jewel begged him, he agreed immediately. His love for your sister is so strong, even if it meant hurting her,” she said. I grabbed my head in frustration.

“Lucas and Jewel agreed that Lucas could never be kind or friendly to you, let alone treat you like a wife.”

“Until Jewel signals that you deserve Lucas, your husband wouldn’t even treat you well, because your sister is afraid you might steal Lucas’s heart.”

Lucas followed her. That’s why his behavior toward me for two years was the way it was.

“B-but now Lucas and I are fine, we’re okay.”

She laughed loudly again, but this time she seemed incredulous, shaking her head.

“That was also part of the plan, girl. But I was alarmed when he got super sweet to you and told me he wouldn’t leave you. That’s when I immediately informed Jewel.”

“That’s why I followed Lucas to Cebu—to get him to talk to Jewel. But he still refused. So I made a plan.”

She smiled mischievously and took another puff of her cigarette.