The Wife He Replaced

Chapter4

Chapter 4 The Silence unsettled Me

Victor’s POV

I looked at my watch. Pretended to listen to Kate talking next to me.

“Next we can stop by a*****e. I need some clothes for the social events coming up " she said, touching my arm on purpose like she wanted to make sure I agreed.

Kate always knew how to spend money without worrying. She liked luxury. I made enough money so we didn’t have to worry about limits. It didn’t matter… long as she stayed with me.

I pushed away the feeling of being detached that had been bothering me since she got back.

A guy just needs time to adjust.

“Whatever you want " I said with a smile and pulled out my phone.

I checked some emails from my assistant then scrolled through news about politics while Kate told the driver to stop.

The car stopped. The door opened for us. Kate was already getting out urging me to follow.

I. Put my phone away but it vibrated again.

I looked at the screen.

A message.From Rita.

The message was worse than I thought.

She wanted me to send the divorce papers…. She was eager to sign them.

My jaw got tight. I felt a surge of anger.

This was what I wanted.So why did her words make me feel… off?Why was she so willing to leave

Days ago she was in my office asking me to reconsider. To choose her.. Now this?Where had she been for the past three days?Did she have someone

I thought about her stuff in my bedroom. It was scattered on the bed. She hadn’t really left yet…. I hadn’t questioned it.I didn’t love her.

Least I kept telling myself I didn’t.It was Kate I wanted.It had always been Kate.

So why did this irritation keep growing inside me?

My door opened again snapping me back.On I’ve been waiting. Your business can wait " Kate said from outside.

I exhaled, locked my phone and got out of the car.The trip to the store took longer than expected.

Kate bought a lot of things without hesitation. I paid without complaining. Stepped outside to get some air.

Rita’s message was still on my mind.

Later when we got back to the car Kate leaned in close.

“Thanks for everything today " she said softly. Her voice got more seductive. "I think you deserve a reward.”

Before I could respond she kissed my neck, my jaw. Then she tried to kiss me

I turned my face a bit.Her kiss landed on my cheek instead.

“Later Kate " I said flatly and gently pushed her back.

I hated that my body still reacted.

And worse…

It wasn’t the feeling I used to get.

Not the electric pull I felt with someone elseI stopped thinking about it.No.I refused to go

The rest of the afternoon passed with work and distraction as I buried myself in meetings and reports just to silence the unease growing inside me.

By evening I decided to return.The building was quiet when I arrived. Too quiet.I entered quietly intending to pass Rita’s room without thinking much about it.

Maybe the maids had already cleared her things.. When I reached the door.I stopped.The room was empty.

No clothes. No scent. No trace of her presence.It was as if she had never lived there all.My chest tightened slightly.That was… not expected.She had actually left.

Gone.

The realization settled heavily in my stomach, unfamiliar. I swallowed, trying to dismiss it. The feeling only deepened.I didn’t expect to feel anything.So why did it feel like something had been removed from the house… and from me?

She was gone.And I didn’t even know when I would see her again if ever.It had all happened fast.I expected resistance.I expected anger.I expected her to fight back at once more before everything ended.Without thinking my phone was already in my hand.My finger hovered over her name before I pressed call.I didn’t know what I intended to say.

Maybe just to arrange the divorce discussions.Maybe just to hear her voice more.

The phone rang.Once.Twice.Still ringing.No answer.I tried again.

Still nothing.A third time.Silence.My grip tightened around the phone.She was ignoring me.Deliberately.

The realization sat uneasily in my chest.

I ended the call slowly. Stood there for a moment staring at the dark screen.

Something felt wrong.Not logically.Not practically.. Deeply.

For the few days that silence stayed with me.

As the week

s followed…

It only grew worse.What was wrong, with me?

Why was I feeling like this over Rita?