The bitter lie and even-bitter truth

Evelyn Xavier

God...why was he being so...not him. It was annoying, frustrating and suspicious too...even if my heart was telling me to accept this new change but my brain was far from accepting this new development.

"It was fine," he said interrupting me out of thoughts as he answered my question. I hummed not sure what to say. We two didn't talk...I mean we never talked in the five years we had been married to each other.

If we ever talked then it was mostly him spewing harsh cruel words at me...and I did take it silently because I had a secret that I have kept for so long it feels like a heavy burden.

But don't worry...I will finally be free of this miserable life. Jasmine's death anniversary is three months away from now. And that day I will decide to end it all—let eveyone know the truth and I will follow my sister's path.

The silence was deafening...it was unsettling at this point. Why was he here? When I was having some air to breathe in. He hated me this much that he did stay here and not let Jackson entertain me...

A bitter smile tugged at the corner of my lips at the irony. Stupid heart thinking nonsense, getting hopes for nothing.

He opened his mouth to speak but he was interrupted when a woman walked in holding some files, dressed professionally. My heart paused as my eyes widened.

Jasmine?!

The woman glanced at me before walking over to Alexander and handed him the files. "J-Jasmine," my voice was barely a whisper, emotions swirling inside me. Alexander stiffened as she took the files when he heard me whisper.

The woman frowned as she looked at me. "My name is Cassandra," the woman said as she eyed me up and down. The emotions that swirled inside me evaporated. My heart ached for some reason..

Silly me...getting my hopes high for no reason..because you knew where Jasmine was.

Not six feet under the ground but somewhere only I and Jackson knew....

And that secret was going to escape from my mouth in three months. After that, I will no longer be the meek Evelyn Xavier everyone had once known...

I took in a deep breathe as I swallow down the turmoil of emotion bubbling inside me. "So..," I began slowly. "What brings you here?," I asked with mock curiosity and confusion.

The doubt was creeping inside my heart and it was making my heart ached... He couldn't be cheating , right?

Not like I care but he loved Jasmine...there is no way he did ever date someone who had a face identical to hers...

I snapped out of my thoughts when Cassandra spoke. "He is my boss and I am his secretary," her tone was professional but I swear to god. I saw something flash in her eyes when she glanced at Alexander... Was it admiration...

Or love...and longing?

The thought send a bitter taste over my tongue...and I hated it. It was too bitter then the truth i had carried.

"Oh," I murmured under my breathe. Alexander cleared his throat as he gestured Cassandra to leave. She...fucking denied. Who does this woman think she is? If he is her boss...why isn't she obeying him?

"But boss," Cassandra said with a frown, looking pitiful. Alexander sighed ready to give in but I had had enough of this pitiful act.

"Please leave.," I spoke up, my tone cool and measured as I tilt my chin to look at Cassandra with a look it could kill. Alexander raised a brow and I swear I could feel this bastard looked fucking satisfied.

Cassandra looked abit taken aback by my tone. She frowned aa she crossed her arms over her chest.. "and why should I take orders from you?," she asked with a condescending tone as she raised a brow.

"I am his wife"

"She is my wife"

The word 'wife' left a bitter taste in my mouth...but I had enough of being bullied and looked down upon. Doesn't matter if I have to endure this for theee more months but I will make some changes...one that will last forever.

Alexander and I spoke in unison. Cassandra's condescending expression faltered. She glanced at her boss then me as realization slowly dawned on her face.

"Oh!," she exclaimed. "You mean the one who killed their own sister?," she asked, her condescending expression returning.

My jaw clenched...she isn't.

I take in a deep breathe as I composed my emotions. "Enough," Alexander spoke up as he glared at Cassandra with a warning look. Cassandra pressed her lips together as she complied obediently.

"Sorry," Cassandra mumbled as she bowed to me, her voice was full of insincerity but I wasn't going to delve into this matter right now.

With that, she turned and headed out of the hospital room. She shot me one last malicious glare before closing the door behind her.

Just wait...five years of looking down compared to three months of change will be nothing.

                                             ★
I stayed in the hospital for a few weeks before I could leave the hospital. And for some reason...Alexander had come to pick me up?

Was this a way of emotional manipulation or what?

Jackson helped me sit in the passenger seat and I could the coldness radiating from Alexander in waves as he watched from the driver's seat. His hands gripping the steering wheel were kuckle-white.

Jackson got in the backseat as Alexander started the car. The car was filled with the roar of the car engine and hum of the city. No one spoke. Alexander focused on the road while I focused on the window, not sparing him a glance. Jackson sat at the backseat quietly, trying to find something that could keep him
Busy.