My Husband's Rival Became My Lover

SECRETS

ALEXA POV

“Victor, wait!”

But he didn't stop, I immediately hurried after him,My heart was still pounding, there was something wrong with him.

I knew my husband, I knew when he was angry, when he was drunk. I knew when he was lying and right now, he was hiding something.

I caught up with him just before the elevator and grabbed his arm, he finally stopped.

“What did you take from that room?”

He looked at me with a blank expression.

“I don't know what you're talking about.”

“The card.” I asked.

“What card?”

“Travis's card.” I stared at him. “It was on the table, and now it's gone.”

Victor shook his head.

“Alexa, you're stressed because of Lily. You're imagining things.”

“I know what I saw.” I insisted

His hand slowly slipped into his pocket.

My stomach tightened.

“Give it back.”

He stared at me for a long moment.

Then he pulled the business card from his pocket.

I snatched it from his hand, The name was right there in clean black print.

Travis Cole.

“You took it.”

Victor's jaw tightened.

“I wanted to know who that man was.”

“He already told us his name.”

“I wanted to know what kind of man drives around hitting people's children.”

My anger rose immediately.

“He didn't do it on purpose.” I defended him

Victor's eyes narrowed.

“You're defending him already?”

I felt heat rush to my face.

“Why do you always make things more difficult than they already are?”

My voice shook

“He stayed, Victor. He called the ambulance. He paid the hospital deposit so they would start treating her.”

Victor's expression hardened.

“I can take care of my own daughter.”

“Then why couldn't you answer your phone?” I demanded

He looked away.

“I called you over and over while they were putting Lily in the ambulance. You never picked up.”

“My phone was dead.”

I stared at him.

“That’s not true.” I said.

His eyes snapped back to mine.

“What?”

“I know your phone wasn't dead Victor “

I remembered calling multiple times and then suddenly its switched off.

I had been terrified and alone, begging him to answer while our daughter was being rushed to the hospital.

And now he was standing in front of me, acting like it meant nothing.

Before I could say anything else, his expression changed.

“How long were you talking to him?”

I frowned.

“Who?” I asked completely clueless

“The man.”

I let out a frustrated breath.

“Victor, this isn't about him.”

“It became about him the moment he followed you here.”

“He didn't follow me, Victor “

I shook my head.

“He came because he was worried about Lily.”

Victor's eyes narrowed.

“Why would he be worried about Lily?”

“He hit her, of course”

I couldn't believe I was even explaining this.

“Of course he's worried.”

Victor looked down at the card in my hand.

“What did he say his last name was?”

I hesitated.

“Cole, I guess.”

Victor's head snapped up.

“Do you know that name?”

“No”

He caught himself almost immediately but I knew he was lying.

“Then why did you react like that?”

“Because I'm tired, Alexa, quit asking me these questions “

He turned and started walking away.

I followed him.

“Victor, what is going on with you?”

He stopped and turned around.

“Nothing is going on.”

I stared at him, searching his face for an answer, but there was nothing. For a moment, I felt exhausted, not just physically.

Deep down, I was tired of fighting with him.

Tired of trying to understand him,tired of feeling like I had to pull every honest answer out of my own husband.

“I want to go back to Lily.”

I turned around.

Victor stepped in front of me, blocking my path.

“Stay away from him.”

I looked up at him.

“Who?” I asked

“Travis.”

I blinked.

“You don't even know him.”

“I know enough.”

“How?”

For a second, I thought he might finally tell me.

Instead, his expression changed.

“I’m your husband, Alexa and i’m telling you to be careful.”

I felt something inside me snap.

“You don't get to decide who I speak to.”

He stepped closer.

“I'm telling you because I don't trust him.”

I held his gaze.

“And I don't trust you right now.”

The words landed right where I wanted it too. I saw it in his face, then suddenly he gripped my hands tightly.

My breath caught.

“You need to stop fighting me on everything.”

I stared at his hand around my wrist.

Then at him.

“Don't touch me.”

I yanked my hand free.

At that exact moment, a nurse turned the corner, Victor immediately stepped away from me. His entire expression softened at that moment

“I'm just worried about my wife.”

I stared at him.

How could someone change so quickly?

One second he was gripping my wrist, the next, he was standing there looking like the concerned husband everyone expected him to be. I didn't even recognize him anymore.

Before I could say anything, I heard footsteps at the hallway.

I looked up.

Travis was walking toward us.

His arms were filled with flowers, a large gift bag, a stuffed animal that looked exactly like something Lily would love, Coloring books and a small children's gift box.

I couldn't help the thought that crossed my mind.

How sweet.

He looked almost shy as he approached us, which surprised me.

“I wanted to apologize to Lily properly.”

My eyes moved to Victor, his face had changed again.It was completely blank and cold.

I had never seen him look like that before.

Travis glanced between us.

“Is everything okay?” He asked

I forced a smile.

“Yes, everything's fine.”

I just hoped he couldn't see the awkwardness between us.

Travis held out the gifts.

“I know none of this can change what happened.”

He looked down for a moment.

“I just wanted her to know I'm sorry.”

Something twisted inside my chest,he didn't have to do this.

“Thank you.”

He nodded.

Then turned toward Victor.

“I'm sorry about what happened to your daughter.”

Victor said nothing.It became so uncomfortable that I could almost feel it sitting between us. I quickly stepped in.

“Lily is awake.”

I looked at Travis.

“You can go see her.”

His face softened, he nodded and walked toward her room.

Victor remained where he was.

For a few seconds, neither of us spoke,

“We'll finish this conversation later.” He said and walked away

I watched him disappear around the corner.

My stomach twisted again.

There was something between Victor and Travis.

Something I didn't understand, and suddenly, one question wouldn't leave my mind.

What did Victor know about Travis?

I took a step toward Lily's room, then something caught my eye.

The business card.

It was lying on the floor exactly where Victor had been standing.

I stopped.

My eyes moved toward the direction Victor had disappeared, It must have fallen from his pocket.

I bent down and picked it up.

My fingers froze.

There were three words written on the back, in Victor's handwriting.

Richard Cole's son.

I stared at the words. For a few seconds, I couldn't make sense of them.

Who the hell is Richard Cole?

My curiosity got the better of me, I pulled out my phone and quickly searched for his name.

Hundreds of results appeared,I scrolled past the first few and one name caught my attention.

Richard Cole , the Founder and Former CEO of Cole Industries.

My stomach dropped.

Cole Industries.

I had heard of that company before, it was huge and one of the biggest companies in the city. I clicked on the article,My eyes moved down the page.

Then I saw Travis Cole, hes the Current CEO of Cole Industries and only son of Late Richard Cole. I stared at the hospital room where Travis had disappeared only moments ago.

A strange feeling settled in my chest.

Fear.

Confusion.

A terrifying thought entered my mind, what if the accident wasn't the first time Victor had ever heard of Travis Cole?

My mind kept racing

“Ahhhh!”

Lily's voice suddenly came from inside the room.

My heart stopped.

“Lily!”