Chapter 1

The Arrest

Vera's POV

My ears had been itching for the arrival of my husband in his black BMW which had just arrived the moment I finished placing all the deliciously cooked dishes on the dining table. Finally, he was here and I could hear the hard brakes screeching to a haut in such a hurry. In the next minute Francis walked into the house looking ghostly.

He scanned the house decoration. On the wall was boldly written happy third wedding anniversary, on the table were mouth watery dishes and the aroma was irresistible.

"Welcome home Francis…” I kissed him on the lips but he did not return my kiss. He must be very tired. I thought to myself while I let him towards the table to eat..

"I went through a lot getting everything ready. Do you like it?" I said to him, hoping to get a gleaming response but his words came out coldly.

"Yes."

I frowned hard, even though I was trying to understand that it isn't  in the nature of men to pay attention to every detail and perhaps always give compliments. Francis never complimented my efforts, and neither does he notice when I get my hair done or when I buy a new dress. He'd never paid attention to little details about me.

"Do you remember our wedding vows?"

Francis asked me out of the blue…

I paused in dishing his food to take a look at him. There were several vows. I wonder if he has any specific one in mind.

"Yes, I remember all of it."

I smiled.

"We promised ourselves for better or worse."

His tone became serious and I wondered why he chose this topic all of a sudden. Even though it was our wedding anniversary, I wanted us to talk about special things in a good way but with the tonnation of his voice, I assumed he was forcing himself to talk…

"I remember." My reply was brief as I placed the grilled turkey and cutleries for him to start digging in. I was getting anxiety from the topic I wanted to end. Our vows were beautifully pronounced by the both of us on our wedding day, we had a lot of family friends attend it.

Even though none of my family came because I married Francis out of their will, I was still happy that his friends made it a memorable moment for both of us.

A suffocating silence hung in the air between the two of us after then. My head was buried in the food when I stole a glance at him, he hadn't even touched his food. If only stares could kill I would have dropped dead right now from those bullet stares of his.

I shifted uncomfortably on my seat then swallowed hard.

"Is everything alright my love?"

"Do you love me, Vera?"

I almost spitted out the water I was drinking. Why all these questions? Was it because it was our anniversary? Was Francis being depressed again and unsure of my love? My actions towards him should be able to assure him how much I loved and cared about him but he never seemed to care so I was wondering why he wanted me to confess to him now..

I cleared my throat briefly and I replied.

"Yes, I love you, Francis . I really do. My love for you can not be measured on any scale." I boasted…

"Does that mean you will do  anything for me?” He asked.  

Although I was being creeped out by his endless questions and cold face, I responded by shaking my head positively. I do not know what games he was playing. Francis is always full of surprises. Maybe he got me an expensive gift and only wanted to make sure I was qualified for his gift.

Just when I thought about it— I heard the  doorbell ring. At first it scared the shit out of me causing my spirit to almost leave my body. We weren't expecting anyone, at least, not me. I looked at Francis questionably and hoped that he would tell me he had a guest coming.

He didn't say anything and the doorbell rang again.

"I will get that." I said and stood up leaving for the door..

In my mind I was excited and I couldn't wait to see my wedding anniversary gift. The last two years he had forgotten about it and I'm impressed that he remembered this year.

"You must be Mrs. Coleman?”

The man in front of the door asked, he looked nothing like a delivery guy, there were two men standing behind him and one was wearing a police uniform. The man and the other were in regular  outfits, a black top and gray pants. I was starting to guess if they were of higher ranks than their colleague when my eyes settled on his chest and I could see his name tag following my tag of being the inspector…

“Francis… There are some policemen here. But I think they've gotten to the wrong place” I said and was about to shut the door when the man spoke..

"You are under arrest, Mrs Vera Coleman for a  fraudulent crime."

He brought out a handcuff quickly and my hands were cuffed together..

Everything was happening so fast, I couldn't even say a word and Francis didn't come downstairs to check what was going on.. I tried calling out his name but my voice went low from too much fear.

“Vera, what's going on?” I heard Francis's voice speak and I turned to see him standing at the staircase glaring at the scene.

I sighed a deep sigh of relief, at least he was here to tell them that I was no criminal..

“Mr Coleman, thank you for reporting to us…” the policeman said, moving forward and giving Francis a handshake.

My head was spinning that minute. I quitted my job three months after my marriage. Francis wanted me to be a full house wife. That is what I have been in the last three years and this was happening?

“What?” I exclaimed in shock to find out that it was Francis who called the police on me for a crime he'd obviously committed. I recalled hearing him talk to someone a few nights ago stating that he had lost a huge deal which the money wasn't his and he might get in trouble for it…

I never thought that this was his plan all along.  My lips parted but no words came out. This must be a dream and I have to wake up immediately before I am dragged to jail for a crime I did not commit.

"Francis what's going on?”

I finally found the voice to speak.

"You have to shut up now, Miss Coleman and don't get your brother involved in this!

Said the police, my eyes widened in shock as I couldn't believe that Francis told them we were siblings…

"No.. you are mistaken, he is my husband." I protested…

"I would advise you not to complicate this issue. I will visit you in jail by tomorrow morning. I promise." Francis said to me as the police pulled me away , they dragged me outside the mansion with force and pulled me into their car.

All I could do was shed tears. Nobody was listening to my plea. They all laughed when I said Francis was my husband. He was a social elite and I was nobody. Francis had never taken me out for a social event because our marriage was to remain a secret. The world still knew Francis to be as single and free like a bird.