CHRISTIAN
" What do you mean you thought you sent the message to the apartment organizers?" I bark over the phone at Ian.
" I… I'm sorry, sir."
" You better be sorry for yourself." I end the call.
I button up my pajama shirt and step out of the bathroom, running a hand through my damp hair. I still feel a hot wave of humiliation creeping down my neck—not from my mother, but from Valerie.
How dare she speak to me like that? Was that a threat she made? She's already finding an excuse to be unfaithful towards me!
I grind my teeth, unnerved by the little brat of a woman.
I step out of my room, the air already suffocating me. My gaze catches the small library by the corner of the hallway. I blink in surprise. She arranged it just like I would—the old, worn-out one on the top, the one I'd ruined with sticky notes and decorative pens in the middle. Everything properly placed. As well as the entire setting of this place, even more than I'd expected the organizers to do.
How did she do all this in such a short time?
" Christian." My shoulder flinches at the sound of her voice.
For a split second, I thought she'd heard my thoughts. I don't want anything to boost her ego.
I wipe every emotion off my face and turn to her. Her nonchalant expression greets me—hair disheveled, strands sticking with sweat.
She avoids my gaze. " Do you have a spare key? I'll be leaving before dawn tomorrow."
I frown. Is the heat already too unbearable for her to handle?
" Leaving to where?"
" My sister's place." She looks at me, brows narrowing. " Do you have a problem with it?"
I clench my fists. " Do as you wish, Valerie. I don't give a damn."
" You still haven't answered my question."
" I don't have any spare key yet. I'll drop the keys with the security before I leave for work." I add quickly before she can turn and walk away. " Lizzy will resume her session tomorrow, so you'll have to drop her off."
" And why can't you do that? You'll be leaving later than me."
What a woman! Back at the estate, she tried her best with theatrics to please my family, but now that we're alone, she's showing her true colors.
" This marriage doesn't change your responsibilities toward my daughter, Valerie. You seemed so excited doing all the work when you were her nanny, so why the sudden change of heart?"
I stare closely at her, waiting for even the faintest hint of emotion in her eyes that would reveal the two-faced gold-digger she is—but all I see is a flicker of pain. Then it fully engulfs her expression. I've only seen her like this once before.
My throat runs dry.
" Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot my manners," she says bitterly. " I'll make sure to wake up as early as I can to prepare Lizzy for preschool. But I'd appreciate it if we had a proper discussion about the rules of this marriage when you return tomorrow."
The sincerity in her voice causes a crack to run through my pride. I… I refuse to feel any guilt—
But words begin spilling from my mouth before I can stop them. " I'm sorry you had to organize the apartment alone!"
" I thought the organizers had already finished setting this place up. You… should get enough rest. I'll prepare Lizzy for school, but this won't repeat itself!"
Valerie just looks at me like I've said something foolish. My face reddens with anger and embarrassment. I express sorrow for once, and she dares give me this look!
My muscles twitch. I spin on my heels, ready to head to Lizzy's room, when she mumbles—
" Why then put up a fuss?"