The Legacy of Betrayal

“Is everything set?” I asked one of my men.

Today is our wedding anniversary. I am waiting for my husband to show up. I wanted to surprise him, he had been very busy with our business, and it’s fine for me, I understand it. Knox took responsibility for me.

I took my phone from my pocket and sent him a message, ‘Where are you, Love?’

But I didn’t receive any message or call from Knox. I even tried asking his secretary but his secretary told her that he doesn’t know where Knox went. I tried calling him again but he didn’t answer. This wasn’t the first time that I couldn’t get a hold of Knox, It started a a few months ago.

Usually, whenever Knox is away he would always call and text me from time to time and tell me how much he misses me and once he comes home he would always bring me flowers. But I noticed that he had been away for weeks and wouldn’t contact me, he would only message me that he would be busy.

And I ignored it because I love him and I trust him. That he wouldn’t betray me for another woman. I went to our room and went to the walk-in closet. I rummaged through the laundry basket and took his worn shirt. I hugged it and cried like a child.

I cried harder when I caught a whiff of an unfamiliar scent from his shirt. My hands trembled as I touched my stomach, I don’t wear perfumes nor Knox because he knows that my nose is sensitive.

I took my phone again from my pocket and dialed Knox's number. After a few rings, he answered.

“Hello?”

My stomach churned when I heard a woman’s voice, I covered my mouth with my hand, stopping myself from making a noise.

“Hello, who’s this? Why are you calling my boyfriend is in the bathroom if you need something important from I suggest you call after two hours because we have an appointment today-”

That was my last straw, I ended the call and lay on the cold floor, crying my eyes out. I don’t wanna lose Knox but I don’t want to lose the respect I have for myself. I fell asleep while crying. The next day I woke up when I felt someone touching my face. When I opened my eyes, I saw Knox with his worried eyes staring at me.

“Baby, what’s wrong? Why did you sleep here?” His voice was so soothing and I wanted to hug him.

“You didn’t come home last night,” I muttered, trying to hide the anger and disappointment I felt.

His eyes widened and guilt was written all over his face, “Sorry, Baby. I got busy last night. I had a lot of transactions last night. Is that why my baby is crying?”

I swallowed hard trying to stop myself from telling him that I knew the truth. “It’s our anniversary yesterday.”

Knox chuckled, “I know and I am sorry for not being able to celebrate with you, Baby.” He cupped my face with his hands, “So please stop crying, okay? I got you something.”

Knox helped me stand up, he brushed my hair with his hand. Then we went outside the walk-in closet. He let go of my hand and picked up the bouquet in our bed and handed it to me.

“I hope this still counts, Baby. I know this is your favorite flower. Happy anniversary to the most beautiful woman in my life,” then he handed me the bouquet of Tulips, I tried to smile when the truth it is I wanted to throw it to his face.

I never liked Tulips, my favorite flower is the sunflower. He leaned closely and kissed my forehead and because of that, I caught a whiff of that unfamiliar scent. I clenched my hands, my nails dug through my skin.

“I should take a shower now. I feel icky, Baby. Can you please take out my things from the luggage?”

I didn’t answer him, I just looked at him. His forehead creased, and annoyance flicked across his face.

“I already told you I was busy with some transactions, Luane. So what’s with the long face? You know that I didn’t like working, right? But I had to because you can’t handle the job of a Patriarch, remember? So please, Luane, stop acting like a fifteen-year-old and be mature about it. I can’t be with you all the time.”

‘Liar! You didn’t work, you were with a woman! How dare you make me wait for the whole night while you were with a woman!’ Instead of answering him that way, I just smiled at him and nodded.

“Okay, Know. Go take a shower,” I answered sweetly.

Knox headed to the shower, I immediately rummaged through his luggage. I stopped when I saw a hair tie on his baggage right after I took all his clothes to put in the laundry basket. My hands were trembling as I took it.

I could hear Knox humming from the bathroom and I could feel the pain on my stomach. I clutched my stomach as I silently cried. “Oh, Baby… Looks like your Dad has found a stepmother for you. You and I are about to fight for our rights.”