7. Nice to Meet You, Darling

Once Darwin stepped out of the room, Veronica immediately walked briskly to her own room. She locked the door tightly while clutching her chest, which was heaving from her rapid heartbeat.

This was the first time, after a month of marriage, that she had shown such courage. Veronica had even tried to respond to almost every word spoken by her husband.

Growing up with love and care, pampered as an only child, Veronica had never experienced harshness or cruelty from others. Despite coming from an esteemed family and having everything, her parents had never taught her to belittle others or behave rudely.

However, recalling Deasy's words, Veronica thought that she shouldn't be too weak or submissive, allowing her self-esteem to be trampled upon. After all, she wasn't at fault here. Her marriage to Darwin was a purely arranged one that couldn't be avoided. That's why Darwin had no right to use her as an outlet for his frustrations.

Meanwhile, in his room, Darwin appeared very angry. He had thrown almost everything on the dresser and table onto the floor in a fit of rage. He was so frustrated because Veronica had boldly accused Vivian of being his affair. And now, his wife was pushing him even further into the business world, which he didn't desire.

If Darwin took on the projects offered by Damian, he would undoubtedly find it harder to break free from Veronica or to divorce her. Moreover, his father seemed delighted that his friend had granted the Walters Family a new company, a company not to be underestimated.

Furthermore, Damian had also mentioned the issue of company succession. Confidently, his father-in-law intended to pass down the leadership of the Vortex Group to him. This would make Magnus Walters not allow his son to refuse, let alone think about divorcing Veronica, who was like a gold mine for their family.

Lost in frustration, Darwin's phone began to ring. He sighed repeatedly as he reached for the smart device lying on the bed. He checked the caller ID and saw Kennedy's name, who was calling him.

"Hello."

"Hey, Win, are you coming to the horse arena? Randy and I have been waiting for you."

Darwin sighed again. He had almost forgotten about his plans to go horseback riding with his two cousins this afternoon.

"Yeah, I remember. I'm on my way."

The call ended. Darwin quickly changed his clothes and grabbed his backpack, packing all the things he needed. Then, without seeking permission or saying goodbye to Veronica, who was still confined in her room, he left.

At the horse arena, Darwin could see his cousins from a distance. Kennedy and Randy were circling the field on their chosen horses. Not wanting to be left out, Darwin joined them. The three of them played horse polo for about an hour before Kennedy, feeling tired, decided to take a break.

"Ken? Why stop?" Randy questioned. He remained seated on his horse, playing with the polo stick in his hand. "Come on. You always stop suddenly when you lose."

"Enough... I'm tired," complained the narrow-eyed man.

"You're so pathetic! You're so athletic in bed. But when it comes to the field, you're all weak."

Kennedy shot a annoyed look. Her cousins were just being cheeky.

"Not like that. The weather is just so unpleasant. It's already 5 o'clock, but the sun is still scorching. I can't stand being under the sun for too long."

Randy clicked his tongue. Seeing his two cousins dismounting their horses and choosing to sit and rest, he reluctantly got down from his horse and approached them, then sat down to join them.

"It's called playing in an outdoor arena; of course, you'll be under the sun," Randy said. Then he quickly took a sip from a bottle of mineral water that was on the table.

"But there are times when the sun isn't hot," Darwin chimed in.

"Impossible. Everywhere, the sun is always hot."

"It's not true. The sun at the mall is cool. It even has air conditioning."

"That's a clothing store, Dummy!" Randy said in frustration. He was trying to be serious, and his cousins were just joking around. "Besides, seriously? Complaining about the heat, complaining about the rain. You'd be happiest if you were given a lot of money. I bet you wouldn't complain then."

The three of them continued chatting. Whatever Randy was talking about, as the evening wore on, it gradually turned into night.

From the beginning, Kennedy had noticed that Darwin was acting differently than usual. He seemed quiet and distant, like he was facing some sort of problem.

"What's up with you?" Kennedy asked when she noticed Darwin's silence.

Randy also looked at him. He could sense that something was off with his cousin. This wasn't the first time Darwin had complained about his marriage.

"Yeah, seems like you've got a lot on your mind. Are you stressed out or something?" Randy added.

Darwin looked up and then turned to face his two cousins sitting in front of him.

"I'm just tired."

"Tired?" Kennedy repeated. "Tired from work?"

"Or from the game just now?" Randy chimed in.

Darwin shook his head. He smiled weakly. Over the years, Kennedy and Randy had been the ones he confided in. They were the ones who knew his feelings and thoughts without exception.

"I'm tired of my marriage, Ken. I'm tired of pretending. I'm tired of living with someone I don't love."

Kennedy and Randy exchanged glances for a moment. Then they focused back on Darwin, who was now staring straight ahead at the horses running on the field.

"This is my fate. Why is it so difficult to be with the one I love?"

"But you already have a wife, Win. In my opinion, you should try to accept her. What's lacking in Veronica? Isn't she beautiful and accomplished? Not to mention her family background. She's independent and smart. I think your Uncle Magnus made the right choice by choosing her as your wife," Randy explained at length.

Darwin chuckled bitterly. He didn't agree with what Randy had just said.

"Just because you were friends at college, now you're defending her?"

Randy reflexively shook his head.

"No, not like that. I'm evaluating this objectively. If she's good, I'll say she's good. If she's bad, I'll say she's bad. Why hide something that's not good? Besides, you're my cousin. I wouldn't lead you astray."

"Randy's right," Kennedy added, joining the conversation. "Long before Veronica became your wife, I personally worked with her a few times. Overall, she's a good woman, and she's quite competent in business. You two could be good partners."

"Still, I don't like her," Darwin retorted.

"So what's your plan, then? You want to divorce her? Let Infinix Group fall again?" Kennedy pressed. She waited to hear Darwin's reasoning this time. After all, it wasn't the first time he had complained about his marriage.

"You know yourself that I can't divorce her right now."

Darwin chuckled bitterly once more. Perhaps it was destined for him to live a miserable life like this. For years, he had nurtured love with the woman he adored. Instead of freely stepping into marriage, his father had shattered the dream he had cultivated by marrying him off to another woman.

"That's why, why not try to accept her? Learn to make Veronica your real wife?"

"I'm not you, Kennedy! I'm not someone who easily opens their heart to someone new. We're different."

"What's wrong with trying, Win?" Kennedy retorted again. "What you despise so much might be the best thing for you. Perhaps Veronica is the right woman that Uncle Magnus has prepared to be your partner. You never know because you didn't want to try from the beginning, right?"

Darwin remained silent. Stuck, as he had run out of words. It felt like there was nothing he could do at this moment other than to accept and live out this fate, uncertain of when it would end.

***

Veronica carefully observed herself once again through the makeup mirror's gaze. Likewise, when she stood up, she twirled her body to ensure the party dress she was wearing fell just right.

According to the schedule, she would be attending a dinner party held by the top executives of the Vortex Group tonight. Believing her appearance to be impeccable, she then left her room with the intention of heading downstairs.

Passing through the living room, Veronica found Darwin already seated on the couch. He looked so handsome and well-put-together in his suit, the kind he would typically wear to parties or meetings.

Without much talk or small talk, they both headed towards the car. They drove off to the event taking place at a renowned hotel.

Upon arrival, as soon as they stepped out of the car, Veronica reached for Darwin's arm, holding it affectionately. Showing everyone there that she and Darwin were a happily married couple.

Darwin didn't refuse in the slightest. He knew he had to do this to uphold his reputation. He played the role that was expected of him. Even when passing by anyone Veronica greeted and engaged in conversation, Darwin didn't hesitate to treat Veronica as his beloved wife.

"Your acting is quite impressive," Veronica whispered when they were both off to the side, not far from a table offering various drinks. "If you were an actor, you'd surely have won a Oscar Award."

Darwin sighed. Keeping a composed expression, he offered a slight smile in response to his wife's clearly sarcastic remark.

"Just to make you happy," he replied. "Isn't this what you hoped for? To be the perfect husband? A husband who is so affectionate and even loves his wife?"

"Of course," Veronica nodded with a blossoming smile on her lips.

Although brought together through an arranged marriage, Veronica had taken her marital status seriously from the start. She tried to be a good wife and fulfill all her duties and responsibilities to the best of her abilities.

However, Darwin, who up until this moment, had refused to accept her and consistently looked at her with disgust. He hadn't given her any hope or opportunity to enter his heart or his life.

"Sooner or later, I might accept this treatment permanently without any coercion," Veronica continued. "Besides, no one knows what the future of our marriage holds, right?"

Darwin chuckled softly. Glancing, he whispered.

"Don't dream too much, Veronica Ashborne. I assure you that will never happen. Unless, in the future, I lose my memory or suddenly go crazy."

"In that case, I'll drive you crazy. We'll see how things turn out in the future."

Darwin wanted to retort again. However, upon the sudden approach of Damian Ashborne, he held back the words that were about to escape him. His smile changed to a friendly and fake one that he usually displayed.

"Veronica, Darwin," greeted Damian. He then approached, reducing the distance between them. "Have you two gone around to greet the executives and board members who are present? Everyone is here tonight. So, it's Darwin's opportunity to get acquainted with all of them."

Veronica nodded. Since their arrival, she had been following her father's instructions. She took her husband around and introduced Darwin to those present.

"Done, Dad. Veronica and Darwin have already greeted and even engaged with some of them in conversation."

"Good then. Tonight, I also want to introduce you to one of the newly arrived expert teams. I want you to assist him for a while because he'll be stationed in the Caribbean, alongside you."

Veronica listened attentively. She didn't have the slightest objection to the new task her father had just assigned her. She was accustomed to accompanying new managers or expert staff who were usually brought in from abroad.

"Who will Veronica be accompanying this time?" the woman asked curiously.

Damian glanced momentarily, waving his hand as if summoning someone. Before long, a tall and well-built man approached. His presence startled Veronica.

"Veronica, Darwin, this is Sean Galael. He's the expert team member I mentioned earlier."

The enigmatic-eyed man offered a friendly smile. He extended his hand confidently, inviting Veronica to shake hands.

"Good evening, Veronica. It's nice to meet you again after such a long time."

Veronica fell into silence, almost frozen. Meanwhile, Darwin could clearly see how his wife stared at the man in front of her with an unusual expression. As if there was something being hidden.