Beatrice
After a month of marriage, the situation with Edward hasn't changed. He continues to act politely but seems to maintain an invisible distance between us. We share the same room and bed, but he has never tried to get closer. Instead, he always locks himself in the library late into the night, always claiming work. It seems like he's avoiding me.
It saddens me, but I can't talk about it with my family or friends. My mother was against our marriage from the start, as she disagreed with the idea of the contract, and admitting that it's been a disappointment would confirm what she tried to warn me about. Additionally, my father is ill, so there are already enough concerns at home. I don't want to add more problems. So, I smile and pretend everything is fine when, in reality, I feel very alone.
Abigail, Edward's sister and my true friend called me that afternoon. She was passing through London and came to visit me. I was so happy with the news. She has always been a dear friend, and that hasn't changed in adulthood.
"Beatrice, darling, how are you?" Abigail hugged me tightly as she walked through the door.
"I'm so happy with your visit," I said, trying to control my emotions.
Abigail wasn't alone. She brought someone with her.
"Beatrice, this is my cousin Evelyn. She was curious to meet you."
I greeted Evelyn with a smile, but something about her made me uncomfortable.
"Pleasure to meet you, Evelyn."
Evelyn smiled, but her eyes were examining every detail of the place as if searching for something.
As we chatted, Evelyn began to talk about Edward strangely.
"Do you know anything about the time Edward lived in Paris? It seems like something important happened there."
I looked at Abigail, confused, before turning back to Evelyn.
"No, he never mentioned anything like that."
Evelyn seemed satisfied with my answer as if she had gotten what she wanted.
"Well, Edward had a romance with a French model named Louise Orleans. He was invest invest invested in it because of some issues."
I was shocked by what I heard. My head was filled with questions, but before I could understand everything, Evelyn continued.
"Edward asked Louise to wait for him. According to what she told me, you two got married through a contract, but for a short period, just two years. At least that's what she told me."
It was noticeable how uncomfortable Abigail was, not to mention my surprise at Evelyn's audacity to speak all that so... casually. It's my life, and she was being extremely offensive.
"I believe this is too personal to be discussed in this manner, Evelyn," Abigail commented, trying to put an end to the topic.
Evelyn smiled somewhat forcedly as if she were enjoying some internal joke.
"I'm sorry if I was impolite; it wasn't my intention."
I felt a mix of emotions: shock, curiosity, and, above all, anger. How could she just bring up such personal information in such a... crude way?
"No problem," I replied, forcing a polite smile.
But my mind was in turmoil, trying to process what Evelyn had said. The truth hit me suddenly. Now, knowing this, the fragility of what we had was clearer than ever.
As the conversation continued, my mind wandered. Edward had never mentioned anything about a romance in Paris. Feelings of sadness and indignation began to surface within me. He had hidden this on purpose, and now I wondered what else he might be hiding.
Soon, Abigail was bidding farewell and taking with her Evelyn, the cause of my internal turmoil. I received a call from Abigail an hour later.
"Beatrice, are you okay?" Abigail asked, sounding concerned.
Even though Abigail couldn't see me, I forced a smile.
"Yes, I'm okay. Just a little tired."
"I'm so sorry for what happened during tea. I had no idea she would bring up those things."
I sighed, feeling the mix of emotions within me.
"It's not your fault, Abigail. I don't know why she did that, but it left me quite shaken."
"If you need to talk about it, I'm here to listen. And about Edward, maybe you should talk to him too."
I nodded, contemplating Abigail's words. She was right. It was time to clear things up with Edward, to find out what he was hiding, and to decide what to do with the revealed information. However, I didn't have the courage for that.
I chose to search on the internet. It wasn't difficult to find articles about the relationship between English tycoon Edward Maddox and French model Louise Orleans. It was painful to see so many pictures of them together, exuding love and romance. Evelyn might have been cruel, but she wasn't lying. Even the French media reported the end of their relationship and Edward's subsequent marriage to a young Englishwoman, the daughter of a prominent business associate.
I smiled without humor. All this information was within reach of anyone. I just had never looked.
My emotions were in tatters. Anger, sadness, and a sense of betrayal mingled within me. I didn't know how to face Edward after discovering all this. Questions flooded my mind. Was he just fulfilling an agreement? And Louise... What did she mean to him? Did he still think about her?
A surprise call interrupted my somber thoughts. A genuine smile lit up my face as I recognized the voice of Sebastian, my dear cousin and friend.
"How's the newlywed in London?" he asked with a touch of humor.
"I confess, a bit bored," I replied, allowing myself a glimpse of honesty.
Sebastian and I always shared a special intimacy, and his voice brought instant comfort to the turmoil within me.
"I can imagine," he said, laughing. "From what I see, Edward is entirely focused on reviving the family business. I bet summer vacations at university haven't been exactly thrilling for you."
"My husband is just trying to keep the family business afloat, even if it doesn't seem like it," I defended Edward, despite my uneasiness.
"How about we go to our favorite pub? A drink always helps lift the spirits."
BeatriceThe suggestion of spending time with someone I trusted sounded like a balm, and I accepted my cousin's idea without hesitation. Two hours later, we were laughing and sharing funny stories about Sebastian's love misadventures. His presence helped temporarily push away the concerns and dilemmas that were consuming me as if I could be myself again.Amidst the laughter, Sebastian mentioned the kiss he stole from me once, making me laugh again, albeit embarrassed. The episode came up in the conversation."It was terrible!" I admitted, remembering the kiss that happened and ended in an instant."Wow, you crushed my self-esteem, cousin," Sebastian joked, with a smile."You have to agree it was a terrible kiss, Seb.""Absolutely," he agreed, laughing. "But you were sad because Edward didn't show up on your birthday, and I was just trying to cheer you up. After all, we had a good laugh about it."Sebastian was referring to my eighteenth birthday party. At that time, I was convinced th
BeatriceI gazed at the wardrobe crammed with luxurious clothes, all from the most renowned brands, the epitome of what money could acquire, yet none of it would be viable to take with me. I packed in the suitcase only the items I had brought to that residence a year ago.Unlike that day when I arrived with a heart full of love and hope, now all that remained in my chest was bitterness and pain; I was about to distance myself from that house, which had never truly been my home.After over a year of a frustrating marriage, in which I never truly experienced what it was to be loved by my husband, I made the difficult decision to end that doomed relationship where only one person fought for the couple's happiness, and that person was me. From this moment forward, Edward would no longer be part of my life, just as I would not be a part of his, and each of us would go our separate ways. With this perspective, I dismissed all the mansion staff that afternoon and awaited my husband's arrival
EdwardAfter Beatrice left the mansion, I walked to the bar almost in the center of my living room and poured a shot of my most expensive whisky into a glass, downing the entire contents in a single fiery gulp.I manage to maintain a neutral expression, but inside, the only prevailing feeling is the purest and most genuine relief.One thing is certain—I wasn't the least bit sad about Beatrice's decision to leave. Our marriage was merely a business contract, something I did solely out of consideration for my father's old friend.Once upon a time, I harbored a strong passion for Beatrice, but everything changed when I found her kissing her cousin Sebastian. That night, I realized their feelings were not just those of friendship or cousinly love. They felt something more for each other, and the biggest proof of that fact was the kiss I witnessed them exchange in Beatrice's garden.I had spoken to Beatrice that day, congratulating her on her eighteenth birthday and promising to be in Kent
BeatriceSurprisingly, I quickly found an excellent job opportunity. I had sent out several resumes and contacted friends I had studied with at university, so when I received a call inviting me for an interview at a nationwide newspaper, I was thrilled to see my efforts rewarded so quickly. Staying at home was not an option, especially when my friends were together. Janet and Charles, her husband, being together made me feel affected by the love they showed each other. It's hard to understand why my marriage went so wrong. So, when I was selected for the position at the Daily News, I was thrilled, not just for the job but also for the great offer I received.Just five days after filing for divorce, I was starting work at the Daily News. I worked in the newspaper's gossip column, in the entertainment section, something I would need to adapt to. Although I didn't exactly like topics related to famous people, I needed that job to get out of the melancholy I was in. I didn't mind the fact
AndrewSince the moment Beatrice joined the newspaper owned by my father, of which I am the sole heir, her difficulty in keeping up with the frenetic pace of high society news and the approach used to attract readers to this column was evident. However, every day, she adapted better, flourishing in all directions, and surpassing even my expectations. Her ability to ask questions, in a non-invasive manner, captivates those she is interviewing.But, from the very moment I set eyes on Beatrice, I was captivated by her shyness, which made her blush when I offered my help in case she felt lost in her new job at the newspaper. Her gray eyes avoided mine as I tried to admire her stunning beauty, completely mesmerized by the newest member of the team.Over time, I realized how naturally timid and reserved she was. I deduced that she had been raised traditionally. As we grew closer, she shared a bit of her past, and I was surprised to learn that she had been married before. However, this didn'
BeatriceNow that I found myself in the ballroom, a strong suspicion hung over me: the looks directed at me seemed full of speculation, focusing mainly on my companion, Andrew. Regret began to creep in, generating growing discomfort.I was seriously considering the idea of stepping back and leaving as quickly as possible. However, Andrew had the sensitivity to sense my apprehension. With a simple glance in my direction, he dispelled my concerns. He was by my side, and that was what truly mattered.That message conveyed in our exchanged glances filled me with the courage to continue, facing the curious looks around us. We walked together, our hands intertwined, and Andrew greeted various people along the way. The way people treated him made it clear that their respect and the pursuit of his attention were not simply due to h
BeatriceWhen we arrived in front of my friend's house, Andrew circled the car and opened the door for me, demonstrating his kindness once again. I couldn't stay angry with him; after all, he had taken me to the party with the best intentions."Thank you for everything, Andrew," I expressed gratitude, already outside the car.He cleared his throat, indicating that he wanted to say something but was embarrassed. I waited in anticipation."I... um-hum!" Andrew started, trying to find the words. "You look beautiful, Beatrice."I was surprised to realize what he wanted to say."Oh!" I responded, taken aback. "Thank you!""I wanted to tell you that
EdwardI felt my jaw tense with frustration as I looked out the window of my office and remembered the night of the gala. The memories of Saturday night were still very fresh in my mind.On that night, I was accompanied by Mila Durant, a beautiful French model I had recently met. We were enveloped in an atmosphere of luxury and sophistication, surrounded by a crowd of familiar faces from high society. But among all those familiar faces, there was one I didn't expect to see: Beatrice.I relived once again all the feelings that flooded me when I spotted Beatrice at the ball. My heart even gave an unpleasant leap. The last time I had seen her before that was when our marriage was crumbling, and to think that at the party, she was radiant, elegantly dressed, and simply stunning. She was in the company of Joel Smith's son, the influential owner of the newspaper where my ex-wife now works.I felt a deep discomfort in my chest. Seeing Beatrice there, splendid and well-accompanied, stirred my