Chapter Four: The Surprise

It was too hard for Viviane to believe what the maid had just said. She sat frozen at the dining table, staring at the untouched food in front of her. The silence of the room was deafening, broken only by the faint clinking of dishes being cleared by the other maids. Questions swirled in her mind like a storm. 

Then why didn't he just marry his girlfriend? Why me? Why this arranged marriage? This new revelation added another layer to the confusion and betrayal she already felt.

The weight of these thoughts kept her awake all night. By the time morning arrived, her eyes were red from crying and exhaustion. She dragged herself to the bathroom, splashed water on her face, and prepared herself for another day in this charade of a life.

Just as she stepped out of her room, she heard the sound of laughter echoing from downstairs. Curious, and a little uneasy, she followed the voices. As she descended the grand staircase, she saw Lucid standing by the door with a woman. Her bright red dress clung to her body like a second skin, and her laughter was melodic yet grating. The maids greeted him, bowing slightly, while the lady clung to his arm, whispering something that made him chuckle.

Viviane froze in her tracks, her heart sinking. She observed the ease with which the woman leaned into Lucid, her arm slipping around his waist like it belonged there.

 Who is she? Vivian wondered. Before she could turn away, Lucid glanced up and saw her.

"She's awake," the woman said, noticing his gaze. "Is this the maid's wife?" She smirked, tilting her head as she looked Vivian up and down.

"Yes," Lucid answered curtly, without even sparing Vivian another glance.

The words stung, but Vivian refused to cower. Ignoring the humiliation, she walked up to Lucid, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her heart. 

 "Who is she?"

Lucid's expression remained cold and detached. "She's Bianca," he said flatly. "My girlfriend."

Viviane felt like the ground had been pulled out from under her. She blinked at him, trying to process his words.

 "Your girlfriend? You… had a girlfriend?"

Bianca laughed and sauntered closer to Vivian, her stiletto heels clicking loudly on the marble floor. 

"Oh, sweetie," she said mockingly. "You didn't tell her she's just for the pictures, hmm baby?"

"I don't have time to explain unnecessary things," Lucid replied dismissively, pulling Bianca back into his arms.

Viviane's heart shattered further as she watched them kiss right in front of her. She couldn't stop the hot tears from streaming down her face. Her body trembled, but she refused to look away. She wanted to scream, to demand answers, but her throat felt like it was closing up.

Bianca broke the kiss and turned back to Viviane with a sly smile.

 "Why are you crying, baby girl? At least you got your name on the Petras' family register. You should be grateful for———"

Lucid interrupted her. 

"Why would I do that?" He smirked. "I didn't bother registering her on the family list. There's no need, this marriage is nothing more than a business arrangement."

Bianca laughed loudly, her amusement echoing through the room.

 "Then you're not even a real wife, are you? You're just…" she paused, pretending to think, "…a maid's wife. That's what you are!" She burst into laughter again.

Viviane clenched her fists at her sides. Every word felt like a slap to her face, but what hurt the most was Lucid's indifference. She turned on her heel and stormed upstairs to confront him.

She pushed open the door to his bedroom without knocking.

 "We need to talk," she said, her voice trembling with anger and desperation.

Lucid looked up from the shirt he was buttoning. His face hardened as he stepped closer to her. Without warning, he grabbed her chin roughly, forcing her to look at him.

 "Don't you ever set your filthy feet in my room again," he growled, his voice low and menacing. He shoved her backward, and she stumbled slightly.

Before Viviane could say another word, Bianca entered the room. She sashayed over to Lucid and began rubbing his shoulders, her eyes never leaving Vivian. 

"Calm down, baby," she cooed, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. "You don't need to waste your energy on her."

She turned to Viviane with a smirk. 

"I told you, know your place. You're just a maid's wife. Don't make me remind you with a slap."

Viviane felt the walls closing in on her. She rushed back to her room, tears blinding her vision. She slammed the door shut and leaned against it, her chest heaving as she struggled to catch her breath. The realization of her new life as "Mrs. Petras" sank in. It wasn't glamorous. It wasn't empowering. It was a prison.

This is my life now. This is what I've agreed to. I can't change this situation, but I need to find something to keep myself sane, she thought.

The following hours passed in a haze. She replayed the events over and over in her mind, each time feeling more humiliated and trapped. Her phone buzzed, breaking her train of thought. It was a message from Rick, a heartfelt one and also pleading they meet;

"Vivian, please. I need to see you. Just once. I can't let things end like this."

Vivian hesitated. Lucid didn't care about her or where she went. She decided to reply. "Okay. I'll come by tonight."

Later that evening, she slipped out of the house, avoiding the driver and walking to Rick's place instead. When she arrived, he greeted her with a wide smile and open arms. Seeing him felt like a breath of fresh air, a reminder of the love and normalcy she once had. They spent hours talking, Rick updating her on everything she had missed. For a moment, it felt like old times.

"How's the married life?" he asked, trying to sound casual but failing to hide the pain in his voice.

Vivian forced a smile. "It's fine."

"Does he love you?" Rick pressed, his eyes searching hers.

"Yes," she lied.

Rick sighed, running a hand through his hair. 

"I know he doesn't. And you don't love him either. Vivian, we can still run away. Not to my mother's place—anywhere you want. We can start over."

For a moment, Viviane let herself imagine it. A life away from all this pain, a life where she could be free. But reality quickly set in. "It's not possible, Rick," she said softly. "I'm married now. I can't leave my family and my… husband."

"Don't use your family as an excuse, Viviane. I know the truth. You're scared."

"I'm not scared!" she snapped, tears welling in her eyes. "What else do you want from me, Rick?"

"I want to know what you have planned for us," he said, his voice breaking. "Or is this it? Are you just going to abandon me?"

Viviane shook her head, torn between anger and heartbreak. "We're just friends now, Rick. I came here out of respect for what we had, but that's all it can be."

Rick looked at her, devastated. "Friends? After everything, that's all I am to you now?"

Vivian stood, grabbing her bag. "I'm sorry, Rick. This is the way it has to be."

Rick's voice cracked as she walked away. "You're betraying us, Viviane. You're betraying yourself."

Tears blurred her vision as she returned home, it was late. She tried to sneak upstairs quietly, but as she reached for her door, a voice spoke from the darkness.

"Where are you coming from?"

Her heart stopped as she turned to see Lucid standing in the hallway, his piercing gaze locked on her.