While I Was His Wife
Chapter 1
Valerie's Pov
“I'm sorry, Mrs Montclair, but the baby didn't make it.”
The lump in my throat thickened. “I see,” I mumbled, breaking down inside but handling it like it was just a simple project proposal that fell through.
As if it wasn't my whole world falling apart.
“Has my husband arrived yet?” I asked, keeping my voice steady.
“Not yet, Mrs Montclair.”
I bit my bottom lip, “He is probably caught up with work,” I said unsure if I was trying to convince myself or the doctor.
As if to mock me, the evening’s breaking news shot from the TV hoisted in my ward room.
“Mr Declan Montclair, CEO of Montclair Enterprises is spotted again at the airport with Miss Sylvia Harlow, Director of Harlow Corporation picking her up minutes after her plane landed, he claims that he was only doing a favor for a close family friend…”
A deep red flushed under my skin, the doctor smiled at the TV.
“I don't know why he's in so much denial, the way he looks at her and being childhood friends too. I can't imagine there being another woman who would be a better match for him.”
A loaded weight formed in my chest.
I had my eyes linger on the screen, on the little details everyone could see. His hand was loosely but tenderly placed around her waist. Her eyes glittering as she looked up at him.
If I wasn't married to him myself I would have agreed with the doctor.
She seemed to notice her lapse in professionalism, straightened up and apologized.
“I'm sorry, Mrs Montclair, this might be a bit uncomfortable for you since he happens to share the same name with your husband.”
No, he is my husband.
But I can't say that.
Four years ago, I agreed to a secret marriage. One only known by him and his primary family members.
“Val, my parents are the conservative type. They won't accept our marriage and overlook your humble background, unless I force their hand by showing there's a child between us.”
I'd been tempted to tell him my background was anything but humble.
But I couldn't, he was the first man that saw me and not my family’s fortune. He was also well to do as the heir to the Montclair Enterprise.
We were married one sunny Tuesday in court, with his friends as witnesses. He looked at me like the sun set in my eyes and promised to love me forever.
Lately, I've been wondering if forever has an expiry date.
Now I was in the hospital waiting to tell him that we'd lost another baby, but he was in the airport with another woman.
I decided to call him myself.
He picked up on the third ring.
“Why are you calling me at this time?” was the first thing that came out of the phone.
“Declan, our baby -”
“Don't, just don't. Do you take me for a fool? I know what you're doing. You know I'm with Sylvia right now and you're trying to throw a tantrum so I'll come to you.”
I could hardly breathe, “is that all you think this is?”
“What else could it be?” He continued to tear my heart to shreds, “you've always been jealous and insecure of her, for no good reason I might add, I'm sure you saw us on the news and now you want to drag me away from her side but you won't be having your way tonight. Sylvia just broke up with her latest boyfriend and she needs the support.”
“What if…” I took a deep breath of the weight of a labor that only brought a dead child beginning to take its toll on my body, “... What if you just decided to believe me for a second? That our baby is gone? That you didn't show up when I texted that I was inactive labor? That I had to drive myself here to the hospital without you? And now after 12 hours of labor our child is no more…could you believe me for 1 second that all of that is true?”
There was a long pause long enough that I had to check if the call was still connected.
It was.
The silence lingered for a long while until it was broken by a wave of applause.
“My goodness with these skills you should have been an actress instead of a housewife, Valerie.”
His words destroyed me and any other feelings I could have had for him.
It was at that moment I decided that this relationship was over.
There were just no more fights left in me to give.
If Sylvia wanted him she could have him, I was tired of begging for crumbs.
In the face of my silence he got a bit uncomfortable then added awkwardly, “look I understand how clingy you are, don't worry when I'm coming back I'll buy you your favorite flowers-tulips right?”
Those were Sylvia's favorite, he'd bought them so many times I'd have to be blind to not know.
Then again I've been blind too many things.
“Do whatever you want and I'll do the same.”
I promptly ended the call cutting him halfway in the middle of his half-hearted apology.
As if on cue I heard footsteps, then in the blink of an eye there stood a 6’ 7 specimen in front of me, dark blonde hair, and blue eyes that could see right through me.
Behind him came the doctor.
“Mrs Montclair, your husband is here,” she announced.
2 years ago my family was badgering me to get married, setting me up with different men. I begged Declan to at least let me tell my family but he put his foot down saying it was too soon.
Then he came up with an idea, his best friend playing the role of my fake husband.
“This way they will stop pressuring you to get married!” he has beamed.
Adrian had been Declan's best friend since they were in diapers, but his family's company went bankrupt years ago, however they remained tight. Adrian owed his best friend a bunch of favors so he agreed to the absurd request.
I begged Adrian to keep my family status away from Declan and as far as he had kept that promise, I never thought I would ever get close to him especially since Declan was the only man on my mind, but now things were different.
Declan had changed and so would I.
I maintained a fake smile, something I had mustard over the years being more of an after thought than a wife. It continued until the doctor left me alone with my ‘husband’
“Adrian, I can't do this anymore.”
His thick brow furrowed, he walked closer.
“What do you need?”
I held his wrist staring at his fake wedding ring he never took off.
“Adrian…” I said slowly, “how about we get married for real?”
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