𝐀 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄

THE THIRD WHEEL

“No one eats for free in this house,”

her mother-in-law snapped.

It was a cold reminder of the debt Victor had paid to “buy” her into the family.

Jane looked at the aunt and shook her head gently.

“It’s okay. I’d rather stay busy. I’ll just take this up to him first.”

She wrapped her sleeve around the hot mug to protect her fingers and began the long walk back up the stairs.

“Poor girl,”

she heard the aunt sigh behind her.

“So young, and so much suffering. And with a husband like that...”

Jane’s heart hammered against her ribs as she reached the bedroom door. She never knew which man was waiting on the other side.

Knock.

Knock.

“Come in.”

The voice was cold and sharp. It was Victor Vane, the businessman—not her Vichu.

“Victor... I brought your coffee,” she said, her voice wavering.

He was reviewing a file and didn't look up immediately. Because the mug was burning her hand, Jane hurried to set it on the desk. Victor stood up abruptly.

“What’s with the formal tone?” he barked.

“Is it because you saw that guy yesterday?”

“You... you told me not to call you by your nickname,” she stammered, looking at the floor.

Suddenly, the sound of shattering porcelain filled the room. The coffee mug lay in pieces on the floor. He stepped toward her, his face contorted with rage.

Is it a crime whether I call him by name or not? she wondered bitterly.

But then, Victor stopped. His expression shifted to one of intense pain. He clutched his head, pressing his palms against his ears as if trying to block out a deafening noise. He let out a tortured cry.

Jane’s fear evaporated into concern. She rushed to his side.

“Victor! What’s wrong?”

She took his hands in hers. As soon as she spoke, the tension in his body seemed to melt. The noise in his head faded. He was drenched in sweat. He looked at her, his eyes searching hers, filled with a sudden, overwhelming longing.

He leaned in and kissed her deeply. Jane stumbled back slightly, but he caught her, holding her steady.

“Oh! We didn't see anything!”

A giggle came from the doorway. Two of Victor's younger cousins were standing there. Jane quickly pushed Victor away, blushing furiously.

The interruption snapped something in Victor. His face darkened instantly. He lunged at Jane, his hand clamping around her throat. She gasped, struggling for air.

The girls at the door screamed. They ran forward, trying to pull his hand away, but his grip was like iron.

“Get out!” he roared at them.

They hesitated, terrified for Jane.

“I said GET OUT!”

Jane signaled them with her eyes to leave. Once they fled, Victor slammed the door and locked it. Jane backed away, trembling.

He wouldn't hesitate to kill me. All that talk of love is a lie, she thought.

“Who is Silas?” Victor asked, his voice dangerously low.

“He... he worked with me at the grocery store back home,” she managed to say.

“What was he to you?”

Victor began unbuttoning his shirt. Jane closed her eyes. Her love for him was being swallowed by pure terror.

“Nothing! I haven't seen him in years!”

“Does he know you're married?”

“Does he know you belong to me?”

The calmness in his voice was scarier than the shouting. He grabbed her arm and threw her onto the bed. She tried to scramble away to the other side.

To be continued…