The Wife He Replaced

Chapter18

Chapter 18: What Refuses to Stay Buried

Rita's Pov.

The lawyers office smells like wood and old money. This makes sense. Everything about coming here feels like I am stepping into a past that I had sworn never to touch again.

I stand by the window with my arms folded staring at the skyline that I once called home. The skyline looks the same. Cold, distant and unforgiving. This is like the man who ruined my life Victor.

The lawyer says, "Miss. Rita, the documents are ready." I turn slightly. Nod at the elderly lawyer seated behind the desk. My grandmother's will is open before him. It is neat, and official.

The lawyer continues, "This confirms the transfer of ownership once you sign. However there is a clause that requires a witness from the representative assigned to your case, Rita." My fingers tighten slightly at my sides because I know what this means. I already know who the witness is.

I say, "I am aware." I do not need the lawyer to say Victor's name. I already know that Victor is the one who will be witnessing this.

I feel it before I hear the door open behind me. slow, measured and familiar. My spine stiffens because I know that it is Victor.

Victor says, "Apologies for the delay." His voice is the same. It has not softened over the years. If anything it has grown deeper and colder.

I do not turn immediately because I refuse to give Victor that reaction. The lawyer greets Victor. Says, "Mr. Vale, perfect timing. We were just about to proceed."

I take a breath before facing Victor. Who is standing by the door. His presence fills the room without effort. His gaze locks onto mine instantly. It is sharp, assessing and unreadable.

For a second everything else fades away. The past, the pain, the years between us. It all comes together in that one look. Then I shut it down because I do not want to feel anything.

"Let's get this over with ". I said .Then I moved toward the desk. I want to be professional, detached and untouchable.

Victor walks in slowly. Closes the door behind him with a soft click. "You did like rushing things.” He said " I do not look at him as I sit down. "And you always did like wasting time." I replied.

The lawyer clears his throat awkwardly because he senses the tension between Victor and me. He chooses to ignore it. "If we can proceed -" he said

"Wait." Victor said. My hand pauses above the document. I look up slowly. My patience is thinning. , "What now?" I asked.

Victor's eyes do not leave mine and he says, "You didn't mention this." I ask, "Mention what?" Victor gestures around the room and says, "The inheritance, the company. You just appear out of nowhere. Suddenly you own half of what used to belong to your family."

I lean back slightly. Cross my arms. I say, "I do not owe you updates about my life Victor." "You owe me honesty." He said. I laugh sharply. Say, "Honesty? That's rich coming from you Victor."

Victor's jaw tightens. He does not back down. He says, "You left without a word." I shoot back "You told me to leave Victor." Victor says, "That's not the thing." , "It was clear enough Victor." I said

The air shifts and it becomes tighter and heavier. The lawyer shifts uncomfortably. Says, "Perhaps we should -" Victor says, "No we finish this."

My eyes narrow and I say, "Then stop delaying it." I reach for the pen again. Victor's hand comes down on the document before I can sign. His hand is firm and possessive, blocking me.

My patience snaps and I say, "Move your hand Victor." "Not until you explain." He said. "Explain what Victor? I demand Why I am here? Why I inherited what was always mine?"

"That's not what I am asking, Rita." He said. "Then be clear Victor." I replied Victor's gaze hardened . "Why now Rita?" He asked

The question hits differently. It is not loud or aggressive. It is. Sharp. I lean forward slightly. Meet Victor's stare. "Because I turned twenty-eight, Victor. Because my grandmother trusted me enough to leave everything in my name. Because this was always going to happen whether you like it or not Victor."

"That's not what I meant, Rita." He said. "Then say what you mean Victor." There is silence for a second. Then he turned back to me and said "Why come back into my life like this Rita?"

My chest tightens and I realize that this is the real question. I let out a laugh and say, "I didn't come back for you Victor." Something flickers in Victor's expression. I caught it.

Victor says, "Everything somehow leads back to me Rita." I reply, "No, Victor. You just think it does Victor." Victor's hand lifts from the document slowly. He does not move away.

"You expect me to believe this is a coincidence Rita?" "I do not expect anything from you Victor." The tension snaps and Victor says, "You walk in here after five years acting like none of it mattered. Like I meant nothing. Like -"

I cut in sharply "You didn't Victor!" The room goes still. Even the lawyer stops breathing. I stare at Victor and my chest rises and falls harder than I want.

I continue "You made that very clear the day you chose her Victor. So don't stand here. Pretend you have a right to question me Victor." Victor's expression shifts in anger.

"You think it was that simple, Rita?" He said "It was simple enough for you Victor." I replied. He continued, "It wasn't Rita." I let out a laugh and said, "That's not how I remember it Victor."

"Then maybe your memory is selective, Rita." He said. "And maybe you're rewriting the past to make yourself feel better Victor." I replied. "I didn't expect you to disappear, Rita."

"I didn't expect you to throw me away Victor." I replied . The words hit harder, than anything and they hang there. Raw and exposed. For a moment neither of us speaks.

Then Victor steps closer. He says, "You begged me to reconsider, Rita. You stood there -" I snap, ". You humiliated me Victor. You dismissed me like I was nothing. Like I was disposable."

"You think I don't remember that Rita?" He said "Then why are you acting like this Victor?" I asked. "Because something doesn't add up Rita."

There is silence. It is heavy and explosive. Victor's eyes search mine. They are desperate, frustrated and confused. Victor says, "You left easily Rita. That's not who you were, Rita."

I freeze for a second. Then I force myself to move. , "I learned, Victor." I said "From what Rita?" He asked "From you Victor." I replied.

That lands deep and Victor's hand comes up suddenly. He grips my wrist. It is not aggressive. It is. Demanding. Victor says, "Don't do that Rita. Don't shut me out like I don't matter."

I stare at Victor and for a second the past flickers between us. The way Victor used to look at me, the way I used to believe him. Something twists in my chest. It is dangerous and unwelcome.

"You don't Victor.". I replied . This time it does not sound as strong. Victor's grip tightens slightly. "That's not what your eyes are saying, Rita." He said.

Victor steps closer. He is close enough that I can feel his warmth and memories become too real. Victor murmurs, "You're still angry Rita." I say, " Of course I am, Victor."

Victor says, "Good Rita. Because it means you still feel something." I say quickly "No, Victor. It means I remember, Victor."

His gaze drops briefly to my lips before returning to my eyes.. That shift. It changes everything. The air grows heavier, thicker and charged with something that neither of us wants to name.

"Sign the papers, Rita. Before we both forget why we're here Rita." Victor said .My heart slams once against my chest hard. I pull my hand free slowly. Pick up the pen.

My fingers hesitate for a second because Victor is right. Something dangerous has resurfaced something unfinished. Something that neither of us has truly buried.

I force myself to sign, one stroke, decisive.

I said and I put the pen down. It is done.

As I stood up I thought about what was going to happen next.

I knew one thing for sure. This thing, whatever this thing was, was not finished yet.

Looking at Victor I could tell that he was thinking the same t

hing as me. The way Victor was looking at me said it all this thing with Victor was far from over.