Chapter 4 — Wrongly Accused

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">Emelia’s POV

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">"Who lies about something like that?! You know I didn't do that at all!" I basically yelled.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">"Emelia! Lily's in the hospital, and you're throwing glass at her? What reason could you have to do that? Why would you try to hurt her?" Victor shouted back. His voice was cold towards me, as he held onto Lily's hand.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">"So you're just going to believe her over your own wife?! Just like that? Like you actually think I'd do something so low as to hurt someone in the hospital?!" I fired back.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">Instead, Victor ignored my words and drew his attention to Lily and the broken glass. I watched as he carefully collected the pieces and threw them away.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">"Are you hurt anywhere? Did the glass get you?" Victor asked softly, giving her hand a light squeeze.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">"No, no. I'm okay now that you're here." Lily's smile was small. "Please don't leave me alone with her again..."

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">Irritation crawled underneath my skin like a bug just by hearing Victor's change in tone as he spoke to Lily. I had to tune out their conversation because I genuinely thought I was starting to go crazy. 

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">Instead, I stood there at a loss for words. It was baffling to watch Victor's concern only extending to Lily. Not to mention he immediately took her side without hearing my side of the story.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">Since when did she become his primary concern? My mind was spinning at the possibility of their 'friendship' running deeper than he led on.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">"Emelia," Victor's serious tone broke me from my thoughts. "You need to apologize to Lily, now."

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">I shook my head. "Apologize for what? I didn't do anything!"

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">"Are you implying that Lily just broke the glass on purpose just to blame you?"

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">"Have you even considered that?"

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">"No, because that's ridiculous!" Victor crossed his arms. "Lily's been through enough stress with this hospital visit, and there's no reason for her to put herself in more danger by trying to hurt herself. She doesn't need any more complications given her health."

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">"Not to mention, that broken glass could've seriously injured her. Even a small piece can be enough to cut deep. There was no reason for you to be so careless!" He added.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">I furrowed my eyebrows in frustration as heat rose in my chest. "For the last time: I didn't

throw the damn glass at her! I'm shocked that you even think so low of me! And where's the concern for me if I'd gotten hurt, hm?"

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">What had gotten into him? Why all of a sudden was he more concerned about her well-being than mine? And why was he so adamant that I take the fall for something that I didn't even do?

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">Victor shifted uncomfortably at my words as he avoided my gaze.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">Lily spoke up then. "Oh, Emelia, be happy you're not some fragile little thing like me. You're strong and capable—you wouldn't have been so easily hurt by measly glass. I'm sorry for causing an argument… My health really is burdensome, huh?"

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">Victor's discomfort instantly dissipated as he placed his hand on Lily's shoulder. "No, nonsense. You're the one in the hospital remember? None of this is your fault."

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">He then shifted his gaze to me as if his own audacity fueled his confidence. "Seriously, Emelia. Please just apologize so we can move past this."

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">I scoffed at his foolish stubbornness. "You're a piece of work, you know that, Victor? You know I always take accountability for when I've done something wrong. But I won't take the blame for something I didn't do. I thought you knew me better than that."

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">Before Victor could get a word in, I grabbed my purse and left Lily's room. Victor's reaction completely shocked and crushed me.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">The disappointment weighed heavy on my heart as Victor chose Lily over me. For the first time in our marriage, I felt like an outsider.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">I had to get out of that room. I couldn't be there anymore.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">When I returned home, the weight of tonight's events started to come crashing down. I didn't even have the energy to stand as I threw myself onto the bed and laid there for the rest of the night.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">Ever since Victor had that dinner with Lily, I noticed how things were now starting to shift. Our marriage had been harmonious and stable, but now…

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">I didn't even know what to think.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">Victor protected Lily, and trusted her words over mine. It was like I was nothing but an afterthought; something to be put in a box and put in storage for a later time.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">There was an aching sting in my heart at how differently Victor treated me. Was I even his wife when he was around her?

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">I waited and waited as the hours passed, hoping that Victor would come home so we could talk things out. At some point, I lost track of time and simply hoped for a call.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">It wasn't until around midnight that Victor finally texted me.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">Victor: I won't be home tonight. I'll see you in the morning.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">His words were like pin needles into an already aching and hurt heart. Disappointment washed over me like a restless ocean.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">I didn't want to doubt him, but what choice did he give me? How could I possibly trust him when he left me to hang dry for someone else?

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">When the next morning came and I was back at work, I carried the heavy weight of the past 2 days in my heart and on my shoulders. It didn't help that my place of work happened to be Victor's company.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">The Majestic Monarch Jewelry Co., and its beautiful logo of a monarch butterfly wearing a crown.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">It was a unique company because it wasn't a family-founded business that was passed down to Victor.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">No, it was Victor's company that he started after he graduated from college. It was his pride and joy, and he took good care of everyone here.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">My talent as a jewelry designer was how I met Victor, and eventually married him. Although he hired me to help grow his business, no one knew I was his wife.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">I preferred it that way because I didn't want my accomplishments diminished just because I married the CEO.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">As I was walking to my office, my colleague, Miranda, ran up to me with a wide smile on her face. "Congratulations! I saw the email about your work being chosen as the flagship design for the next season's concept!"

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">A wave of relief washed over me. This was the first good thing that's happened in the past 2 days. It finally meant that the promotion I dreamed of was becoming a reality!

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">"Thank you so much, Miranda." I smiled widely. "It's going to be exciting to spearhead this project with all of you."

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">"Please." A discordant voice interjected. "Don't get ahead of yourself."

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">It was Kelly. We never got along, even though I only treated her with kindness and respect.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">"Is something the matter, Kelly?" I asked.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">"Oh, nothing's the matter. I just didn't want you getting too into your own head or anything. Like, you're not actually that naïve to think you're going to be the project lead, right?"

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">"What are you talking about?"

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">"The position has already been filled and reserved by the higher-ups. Didn't you hear? I heard it might have been the CEO's doing."

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">Victor? Was he planning to surprise me?

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">At that moment, the room got still as Victor walked in. His charcoal-colored suit was impeccable, and his light hair was slicked back perfectly. Trailing close behind him was the Director—my immediate supervisor, Trevor.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">As much as I wanted to admire how handsome Victor was today, all I could think about was how he chose and prioritized Lily over coming home to me. It was hard not to think about how he treated me like an afterthought.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">Before I could get too deep in my feelings, Trevor approached me.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">"Could you come to my office?"

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">I simply nodded my head and followed. As I walked in, he shut the door behind me and closed the blinds.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">"So, I'm sure you've heard the news of your design being chosen as the flagship for next season's concept. Which, congratulations by the way." Trevor stated.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">"Thank you." I smiled politely. "It's an honor. I can only hope that I can lead the new season's project to great success."

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">Trevor became stiff, and suddenly the air felt... awkward. And tense.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">"Well... That's the thing." Trevor seemed to struggle with his words. "I was hoping that I was going to be able to talk to you about a promotion. After all, you do deserve it."

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">"But…?"

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">"But..." Trevor took a deep breath. "It seems that Mr. Russo has assigned the position to someone else."

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">"Someone else?" I couldn't take him beating around the bush any longer.

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;mso-line-height-alt:12pt;">Trevor nodded tightly. "It's why I pulled you in here because I wanted to ask... Do you know who Lily Marino is?"