Chapter 3

[Veronica's POV]

I slowly regained my consciousness. Opening my eyes groggily, I found myself inside my bedroom. I stared at the ceiling while hoping that everything that happened was just a bad dream. However, as I heard the monotone voice from my bedside, I was brought back to reality. 

“Are you done acting?” he asked.

I turned my head and saw him sitting in the arm chair with his legs crossed. He looked like a wreck. Sweat marks were evident on his once nicely pressed button up shirt. His thick hair was tousled all over the place, as if he hadn't met comb in years and his lit cigarette was hanging from between his long fingers. He hauled up from the chair and made his way towards my bed. 

My heart raced violently. He looked down at me like how the devil looks at his next victim. 

 “Now that you finally awake, get up and ready yourself. We are leaving within the hour for C Nation,” he ordered. 

Turning away from his cruel stare, I whispered softly, “My dad–” 

“He will be just fine… as long as you cooperate with me,” he threatened. 

I sat up and stared up at him nervously. Wanting to know if he had heard any more news, I asked. “W-what about Victoria? Have you found out any more information about her?” 

 His expression darkened at my question. 

“You shouldn’t have said anything, Veronica,” I thought.

  Blake then took a drag from his cigarette, bent down and blew the smoke in my face as he replied, “You have no right to ask about her.” 

My breathing became erratic and tears started to blur my vision, but I never allowed them to fall. 

 “You have no proof that I am guilty, Mr. Davidson,” I said harshly. It felt nice using his formal address. It was as if I was pushing him further out of my life. 

He grimaced at my words before taking another puff from his cigarette. Again, he blew the smoke on my face making my chest clench in pain. I could feel the smoke slipping into my lungs and I began to panic. My breathing became labored and I started wheezing. 

Between my harsh in takes of breath, he said, “If I find out that you are the one behind everything that has happened to my wife, I will ensure that you wish you were never born, Veronica.”

 I wasn’t even able to pay attention to him anymore. My lungs screamed in pain and I started to message my chest, hoping that would help. I was having another asthma attack and Black’s fucking cigarette smoke had only made it worse. It had been forever since my last episode, but all the stress and lack of sleep must have triggered it again. 

“Hurry up and get ready,” he said, turning quickly to leave the room while still puffing on that damn cigarette.

My vision clouded and I struggled to make my way toward my dresser. Panicking, I noticed my inhaler was not in the top drawer, which is where I always kept it. I knew he wouldn’t give a shit, but if I couldn’t get this attack under control I wouldn’t be of use to anyone. 

“B-Blake... M-My inhaler... Please,” I said.

 He stopped at the door and abruptly turned to stare at me with vacant eyes. After observing me for a few moments, he burst into laughter while watching me struggle for air!

  “Is this the best you can do, Veronica? If you think you can trick me like this, you’re sadly mistaken,” he spat, exiting the room.

 As he opened the door, my maid spotted me in passing. She hastily brushed by him with a horrified look on her face.

“Young Miss!? Young Miss!? Are you all right? Has your asthma attack come back?” she asked while busing herself looking all over my room for my inhaler. Thankfully, she found it lying in a corner and passed it to me. I grabbed it like a life line and I inhaled the medicine deeply. The pain in my chest started to ease and I could breathe comfortably again. 

Amused, Blake watched us from the doorway. His whole demeanor plainly expressed that, even if I were to die, he didn’t care.

  “Karma is a real bitch, huh?” he chuckled as he finally left.

What the actual hell? I guess he figured that God was punishing me–even though I didn’t do anything! 

I saw my maid throw a hateful glare on his retreating back before cursing angrily under her breath, “Bastard.” She turned and with a gentle smile, she asked, “Now Young Miss, how are you feeling? Any better? What did that man do to you? Couldn’t he plainly see that you couldn’t breathe? What a heartless idiot.”

I ignored her rant because I could understand how he must be feeling. Who would care for a person who allegedly was responsible for their family’s death? The sound of his footsteps against the marble floor faded and a wave of relief hit me. He was gone… for the moment anyway.

[Blake's POV]

“I hate her!” my mind screamed.

I knew she had to be acting a few moments ago. She was doing just fine and then all the sudden she was having trouble breathing? How laughable! Was she thinking that I change my mind out of pity? Well, there was no chance in hell of that happening. I had to have justice for my family! 

Slowly striding down the stairs, I saw my proclaimed father-in-law. He was sitting on the sofa with an exhausted look on his pale face. At my entrance, he jumped up and walked towards me. 

“Blake, please don't do this to Veronica. Her career would be completely shattered if you take her away now. For Christ's sake, Victoria is gone!” he said.

Pain pricked my heart while he spoke of Victoria. Our life could have been perfect and her baby bump would have been fairly noticeable by now. The night she told me that she was pregnant I was delirious with excitement. We stayed up all night talking about how we were going to raise our child. 

As the words of my father-in-law echoed in my mind, all the pain I felt transformed into an unspeakable rage. I shot him a glare, disgusted at his lack of concern for his eldest daughter. 

“You should be thanking me that I have left her alive. If you utter one more word, I will destroy your business, assets, and whatever else you hold dear,”

A horrified expression formed on the old man's face. I didn’t care. The pain I felt at losing my child was insurmountable. Adding Victoria’s disappearance on top of everything, I felt a huge weight on my chest. My Victoria…she was the love of my life. I had to find her and if anyone stood in my way, I would simply get rid of them. Passing the old man, I headed towards the front door.

 Reporters swarmed the front entrance. They had been trailing me since last night and I was ready to put them in their place. Bombarding me with questions, I raised my hand to signal for silence. An instant hush fell over the crowd and making eye contact with each and every one of those leeches, I said, “Anymore shouting and I will personally see to it that no one will be able to write tomorrow’s headlines.” 

They were all just a bunch of idiots who made random assumptions for a popular headline. Yet, all of them took my warning seriously, so I guess they weren’t completely demented. 

I took a long drag from a new cigarette and said, “One at a time.” 

They all nodded in understanding. I was thankful for the tall iron gate that acted as a barrier, which kept them at a safe distance from me. One of the female reporters raised her hand to ask the first question. I nodded for her to go ahead. 

“Mr. Davison, the citizens want to know that what you plan to do with Veronica Knight? She is not only you sister-in-law, but also a promising model. Has she been convicted or is the investigation still on going?” she asked.

 I wondered about how to answer her series of questions. This was a perfect chance to destroy the name of Veronica Knight. One word from my mouth was enough for her to lose the most valuable opportunity, which was The Rira Fashion Show. It was one of the highest demanding shows of the year and showcased multiple clothing brands from across the world. Victoria had been their runway model for years. 

Veronica was recently scouted for this rare opportunity. If she was able to showcase her talent during the show, she would be named model of the year. It was a known fact that her dad’s continued insistence was the reason she managed to be scouted at all. My eyes danced in amusement. I imagined her breaking down at the sight of tomorrow’s headlines. 

“How would it feel to lose your one in a lifetime opportunity, Veronica?” I thought with a smirk.