The Abandoned Wife Makes A Come Back

CHAPTER SEVEN

I woke up to the sound of Veronica's shocked gasps, her eyes full of fury as she looked ready to attack Vincent. Luckily Dante stopped her but her face went from enraged to heart broken.

“Why Addie?! Why him?!”

She didn't give me much chance to explain before running away and locking herself in the room. Sobbing softly on the other side of the door. I felt a pang of guilt in my chest.

I tried to explain but the words wouldn't come out. I simply leaned against the door in solemn silence. Tears streamed down my face as I listened to her heartbreak.

Vincent came to support me but it was difficult to accept his comfort. I had hurt my only friend for a night of passion. It was incredible in the moment but the warmth had faded and I was just feeling low to have betrayed her.

Vincent's jaw tightened as he saw my distress. He let out a sigh and he knocked on the door firmly.

“Veronica…we need to talk. Now.”

His voice was calm but commanding.

She opened the door and slapped him across the face, it was hard enough I could feel the sting just looking at him but he didn't react. He simply straightened himself off and looked at her.

“You monster! W..why can't you stop…why do you keep doing this?!”

She hit him again and he allowed it. When she tried for a third time though he gripped her hand firmly but carefully.

He looked at her thoughtfully, trying to find the best words to use though he doubted she would listen. Letting out a long, deep sigh he looked at her, portraying a small touch of vulnerability in his eyes.

“I know you blame me for Mildred's death…there's not a day that passes where I don't wish there was more I could have done…” he steeled his gaze as he looked at V “but it's been five years.”

She looked up at him, her eyes looked tired and pained. She was rational enough to know that but her heart still hurt.

“She was a sweet girl…you just…you f**k everything up when you get involved…”

Her words stung but he let her speak of her pain. When she calmed down he gently hugged her and for a moment there was a semblance of reconciliation.

Veronica looked at me with a soft smile and hugged me too. Seeing her smile again It was like a huge weight fell off my shoulders and I squeezed her gently.

Afterwards we all hung out, playing card games and drinking. Veronica kept me close but she no longer constantly fought with Vincent, instead she set her attitude to Dante. He was used to it though and the night was filled with light hearted laughter.

After we settled for the night we all went to our separate rooms, I settled in with V and we gossiped like the old days. It felt so surreal and peaceful for once after everything happened.

I wanted this happiness to last forever for the worse off my pain to be over with but that's not how the real world looks.

Three days after we came out to the lake house I realized I didn't have my phone and requested it from Veronica. She was hesitant but reluctantly gave it to me.

I couldn't understand why the odd behavior until I saw my social media flooded with stories of my ex and my sister. Stories of their lives, painting me as an interloper in their limelight romance. There were also stories saying I was a rabid, jealous woman who attacked my ex when he tried to speak with me. All kinds of outrageous stories, many with photoshopped images too further tarnish my name.

My face was plastered everywhere tagged with slanderous lies. Adulterer. Homewrecker. Psycho. w***e.

The lies and accusations hurt but what hurt more were the messages from my own family. My mother who always loved me since I was small couldn't hide her disappointment in me. My father was enraged by my supposed actions and declared me dead to the family. Aunt's, uncle's and cousins all tore into me. Believing the outlandish takes, even those I thought knew me better than anyone.

My body began to tremble from the sorrow and pain from their harsh words, I dropped my phone onto the floor and hid in my room for the day. Not even V was allowed beyond the threshold. I just needed solitude.

Eventually my body gave in from all the tears and I passed out on the bed. My head aching from the tears and my body still trembling as I couldn't even find peace in my sleep.

I wasn't sure when but in my exhausted slumber I felt a sense of warmth fill my chest and ease my misery. I could tell by the strong arms that wrapped around me protectively and the heat from his chest it was Vincent, trying to comfort me. I could hardly speak and just nuzzled closer, basking in his warmth.

The next morning I was greeted by Veronica who gave me a soft smile.

“Hey Doll…how'd you sleep?” When I say up and looked around she rolled her eyes playfully “already forgetting your bestie” she mused.

It was good to see her hatred for him diminished enough to make fun of me. I gave her a smirk and hugged her tightly.

“I don't think I could ever forget someone like you V” she pretended to be bashful and I hugged her tightly “you're my best friend and no one can change that.”

We smiled at each other for a while until Dante burst into the room in a display of frantic energy.

“There's something wrong with Vincent!”

Me and V looked at each other and ran down the stairs to see Vincent, in a white apron, baking cookies. I felt stunned at first. He looked out of place. 6 ft 3 tall, muscular man in all black clothes doing something as domestic as baking was…surprising.

He noticed us, his eyes the same deep amber glare. He didn't say a word and approached me with a cookie in hand, gently placing it to my lips.

“Eat Princess.” I could tell he wouldn't relent so I took a bite. Pleasantly surprised at how tasty it was. He smirked and spoke with a playful purr “good girl.”

My cheeks flustered as I took the cookie and ate it. He seemed pleased to see me out of the room. Veronica also took a cookie and was surprised by his skills.

“Didn't expect the all mighty Vincent to know how to use an oven for well…anything really” she happily ate her treat, ignoring the glare he gave her.

Dante tried to take one but the cold look in Vincent's eyes made him think twice.

After we had our fills we all sat at the dining table, the topic of the outlandish posts on everyone's mind. Veronica led the conversation.

“We know it's all bullshit. The question is proving it and crushing those bastards.”

Everyone pondered ways to get even.

“We could expose their lies, that should prove their false claims.” Dante chimed in.

Both Vincent and Veronica looked at him with a lifted brow. That was an obvious move. How to do it was the real question.

We all continued to think when Vincent suddenly got a wicked, and slightly sadistic grin on his face.

“I may have an idea.”