Fated to Wed (English)

Chapter Sixteen

For weeks, Theo and I had been moving toward a comfortable rhythm. Our relationship was no longer a battlefield, and for once, we were actually enjoying each other’s company. He would come home early, help me with Tyrone, and we would spend our evenings together, talking or watching movies. It was a version of us I hadn’t seen in years.

But no matter how well things seemed to be going, there was a dark cloud looming in the back of my mind—Liana.

Ever since I found out she had returned, I couldn't shake the suspicion that she might come back for Theo. The idea gnawed at me constantly, like a parasite feeding on my insecurities. I told myself it was irrational, but then I would remember how things had fallen apart before. How Theo had chosen her once.

I wasn’t going to let that happen again.

When Theo wasn’t around, I started checking his phone. I knew it was wrong, but I couldn’t help it. Every time he left it unattended, I would scroll through his messages, searching for anything that might suggest he was talking to Liana. I even went so far as to block certain news articles on his social media—the ones with Liana’s name or face. She was a supermodel now, and every tabloid seemed to be talking about her return. The last thing I needed was for Theo to see any of that.

One evening, as I was flipping through his texts while he was in the shower, my heart nearly stopped when I saw it—a message from Liana.

"Can we meet? I’d like to talk."

My fingers trembled, and without a second thought, I deleted the message and blocked her number. I couldn’t let her have access to him, not when things were finally getting better between us. Theo didn’t need to know about this. It’s for the best, I convinced myself. He wouldn’t understand.

Days passed, and Theo didn’t seem to notice my increasing anxiety. He was confused by my strange behavior—asking more questions, watching him closely, and occasionally making excuses to check his phone—but he brushed it off, choosing not to engage in the confrontation that I could feel building up.

Then one morning, it happened. Theo had rushed out of the house for an early meeting and left his lunch sitting on the kitchen counter. I saw it and decided I’d bring it to him. Maybe this was an opportunity to surprise him and ease my mind about Liana once and for all.

I packed Tyrone’s things, dropped him off with Aunt Brenda, and headed to Theo’s office.

When I arrived at the building, I was surprised to see a crowd gathered outside. There were reporters everywhere, shouting into microphones and trying to snap photos. Most of them were from entertainment news outlets. What’s going on?

Ignoring the noise, I slipped through the crowd and made my way to the front desk. The receptionist barely looked up from her computer.

"Hi, I’m here to see Theo Fontalva," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

"He’s in a meeting and can’t be disturbed," she replied flatly.

I frowned. "I’m his wife," I insisted, pulling out my ID to prove it.

The receptionist gave me a skeptical look. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but I can’t let you through without an appointment."

I felt a knot of frustration tighten in my chest. "Look, I just need to drop this off—his lunch. I’m not a stranger. I'm his wife."

The receptionist’s eyebrows rose, as if she didn’t believe me at all. "I’m going to need you to step back. If you don’t leave, I’ll have to call security."

I couldn’t believe this. Was I really being treated like some outsider? My heart started racing, and without thinking, I bolted for the elevator, clutching Theo’s lunch. I heard the receptionist shout after me, but I didn’t stop. I needed to see Theo.

Once inside the elevator, I pressed the button for the top floor, my heart pounding in my ears. Why were the reporters there? Was it about Liana?

When the doors slid open, I stepped out into the quiet, sleek lobby of Theo’s executive floor. His secretary glanced up from her desk, startled.

"Ma'am Delilah?" she asked, surprised to see me. "What are you doing here?"

"I need to see Theo," I said, my voice firm but shaky.

The secretary looked conflicted. "He’s in a meeting right now. You really can’t disturb him."

"Who is he meeting with?" I asked, dread rising in my stomach.

She hesitated before answering. "Liana. They’re in his office."

Time seemed to slow down. Liana. The name echoed in my head. I felt my body go cold, a mix of fury and panic surging through me.

"No, no, no..." I whispered, backing away from the desk.

"Ma'am Delilah, wait—"

But I didn’t. I ran down the hall, my feet pounding against the polished floor. The secretary called after me, but I didn’t care. I reached Theo’s office and without thinking, threw the door open.

What I saw froze me in place.

There, on the sleek leather chair behind Theo's desk, was Liana—sitting on his lap. Her long, manicured fingers trailed over his chest as she kissed him. And he... he wasn’t pulling away. His hands were on her waist, his eyes closed.

My breath caught in my throat. My world shattered. The lunchbox slipped from my fingers and crashed to the floor, spilling its contents. The sound jolted them apart.

Liana looked over her shoulder, her eyes widening in surprise. Theo opened his eyes and saw me standing there, frozen in the doorway. His expression quickly shifted from shock to guilt.

"Delilah..." Theo started, standing up and gently pushing Liana off him.

I couldn’t move. I couldn’t breathe. My heart hammered in my chest, and all I could hear was the rushing sound of my own blood in my ears.

Liana smirked, casually adjusting her blouse. "Well, this is awkward," she said, her voice dripping with mock innocence.

Theo stepped toward me, his hands raised as if to calm me down. "I can explain—"

But I didn’t want to hear it. I backed away, my vision blurring with unshed tears. How could he? After everything we’d been through? After all the promises?

Without another word, I turned and bolted out of the office, ignoring Theo's calls after me. I ran back to the elevator, my body shaking, and slammed my hand against the button. Tears streamed down my face as the doors closed, trapping me in my own heartbreak.

I had tried to protect our family, tried to build something good out of the wreckage. But it was all falling apart. And this time, I didn’t know if I could pick up the pieces again.