My Lover Cheated, I Read Our Fate

Chapter 2

Avelisse's mind went completely blank.

In her heart, she had always known how deeply she and Theron loved each other since they married. She could not bring herself to believe he would ever turn away from her. Yet reason made it nearly impossible to doubt what her own foresight had shown her.

Theron sat in the executive chair, his lips pressed together into a thin, cold line.

Not a sound could be heard in the office. The silence was terrible.

On the other hand, Maerith stood frozen. Then as if remembering herself, she bowed in a hurried, nervous gesture and gave Avelisse a strained smile. "You are far too kind, my lady. How could the child of someone like me possibly be related to him?"

With that, she turned and hurried from the room as if fleeing.

Theron stood at once and took Avelisse's fingers, still warm from casting the card. "Avelisse, this reading of yours is far too wide of the mark. You know with all your heart that you are the only one in this world for me. How could I ever betray you?"

From the very first time she had touched a tarot card, Avelisse had never once been wrong. In fact, had she not left her training to marry him, she would have become the youngest headmistress the school for seers had ever known.

Yet before her stood the man she loved, open and unguarded, his gaze clear, not a single trace of deceit anywhere in his eyes.

For the first time in her life, Avelisse began to doubt herself.

She spoke softly, almost to herself. "Perhaps... perhaps I was mistaken."

Theron's stern expression softened at once. He drew her gently into his arms. "It must be the pressure my mother has been placing on you. Once I have finished this round of work, I will take you to Whitepeak Springs. Would you like that?"

The Whitepeak Springs had been built by Theron, at great cost and against his own mother's wishes, crafted entirely by hand for her alone. He had chosen that place simply because he had heard the air there was rich in natural power, that it would strengthen her and help her in her gift.

He had told her once, "I grew up with nothing. For a long time, I believed wealth was the most important thing in the world. But then you came, and suddenly, all I wanted was to place every precious thing I possessed into your hands."

That was the truth of it.

Theron loved her this deeply. How could Maerith's child possibly be his? And besides, before she had come down from the mountains to marry him, Avelisse had woven a spell upon herself.

If Theron ever gave his heart to another, she would forget one memory of him. A piece of what they shared would vanish. And just now, when the child had been spoken of... the bond within her had remained silent. It had not stirred. Not even a little.

Avelisse lifted her face and smiled softly. "I would like that very much."

Seeing her smile return at last, Theron breathed a sigh of relief.

When the workday ended, Avelisse stepped out first, having a matter to attend to elsewhere. She passed Maerith's desk and saw it was already empty. Standing nearby was Theron's assistant, Corin, sorting through stacks of documents.

Avelisse paused and stepped closer. "What is being done here?"

Corin kept his face carefully neutral and answered with formal respect. "Mr. Cauldrake has stated that the woman's intentions were not honest. She is to be dismissed at once."

Three years of service, and Theron had cast her aside without hesitation. Surely that proved it. Surely there was nothing between them.

Avelisse breathed easier. The last trace of doubt in her heart faded away.

Over the next several days, Theron came to her side each night, staying close to her until the first light of dawn touched the sky.

*****

On the weekend, just before they were to leave for Whitepeak Springs, Theron received an urgent call. He left in great haste. The journey they had looked forward to was cancelled.

Her heart sank a little. But instead of moping around, she accepted an invitation from Mrs. Wren to visit her home and read the flow of energies there.

When the reading was finished, Mrs. Wren transferred payment to her account.

Then she paused, glanced at something on her screen, and spoke carefully. "My lady... are things well between you and your husband?"

Avelisse did not understand. "What do you mean?"

"Let me tell you something," Mrs. Wren said earnestly. "A man must be watched closely, especially one as powerful as yours. There are those who would try to steal him away." She turned her screen toward Avelisse. "Look at this. My husband sent it to me just now. He says he saw your husband at Whitepeak Springs!"

Avelisse looked down. At the very first glance, her breath caught in her throat. Her blood turned to ice.

There in the photograph was Theron, her husband. He was standing in the waters of the spring she loved most, locked in a deep embrace with Maerith. Kissing her as if nothing else in the world existed.

The sight of them pierced her like a blade. It cut through her, tearing at her heart.

And then the memory came rushing back, that morning, when he had left in such haste.

He had told her a business matter had suddenly gone wrong. He had spoken of duty and trust. He had told her they could go to the springs any other time, that he would make it up to her, and they would go together properly.

Avelisse remembered clearly the warmth in his eyes, the sorrow and regret he had shown her, holding her hand. He had been reluctant to leave. He had kissed her deeply before stepping out the door.

She had believed him. She had truly believed duty called him away. She had never imagined... he was going there to be with her.

As the thought took root, a searing pain shot through her chest, sharp and terrible, as if something living were tearing at her from within. Her mind felt as though it were being split apart. The pain was blinding.

Avelisse swayed where she stood. Her strength left her, and she sank down upon the sofa in Mrs. Wren's parlor.

As consciousness faded, one last thought rose clearly in her mind.

The spell had awakened. Theron had truly fallen in love with another.