Chapter 3
I gripped my phone. She hung up.
She cut me off just like that.
Didn't even let me get a word in.
She did that on purpose. She wanna know the boundary.
I'm no Mrs. Carter to her. Just Vivian.
It felt as if she was the one holding all the cards.
I walked into my closet and changed into a sharp, tailored business suit.
I swiped on a fierce red lipstick. That's my fight song.
I didn't bother with anything extra. Just grabbed my car keys and phone.
Riverside Gardens was only a half-hour drive from my place.
It was a luxury apartment complex.
I parked in the underground garage and took the elevator straight up to the eighth floor.
When I rang the doorbell for 802, I checked my watch. Ten o'clock sharp.
The door opened right away.
Stella stood behind the door in an oversized white men's shirt.
The shirt's hem was just enough to cover the tops of her thighs. It was Lucas's shirt.
I recognized the brand and the subtle embroidery on the cuffs.
"Wow, Viv, you got here pretty quick."
She lounged against the doorframe. A cup of coffee in her hand.
She had no makeup on at all, looking so fragile and artsy, like she was born to play the helpless muse.
And on her lips was that limited-edition shade I could never manage to snag.
"Luke just left," Stella said, sounding totally unfazed. "He said there's a pile of mess at work waiting for him."
She shifted to the side, leaving the doorway wide open for me, "Wanna come in and hang out?"
I stayed. I stood at the doorway, glancing over her shoulder and scanning the living room.
Lucas's car keys sat on the coffee table.
His tailored suit jacket from last night was draped across the sofa.
And a deep red tie was just thrown onto the carpet, like someone didn't care at all.
"Nope." I locked eyes with Stella, her expression pure provocation. "This place is filthy."
Stella's expression faltered for a moment.
But she quickly slipped back into that nonchalant smile, "Come on, Viv, don't be so mean."
She took a sip of her coffee, her eyes brimming with scorn.
Stella scoffed, "You really think a piece of paper can lock him down?
"Luke told me, in your crowd, marriage is nothing but a transaction.
"He doesn't care about you at all. We're soulmate.
"I can give him freedom and inspiration. Things you could never offer."
Watching her bask in her own self-congratulation, I couldn't help but find it almost amusing.
"Soulmate?" I shot her a frosty look.
"So soulmate is all about wearing clothes bought by someone else's husband, living in an apartment he pays for, and then lecturing me about freedom?" I added.
Stella slammed her coffee cup down, coffee sloshing over the rim.
"You think you're really a know-it-all?" She raised her voice.
she shouted, "Luke said he'll divorce you sooner or later.
"He only needs your family's resources right now to solidify his company's position.
"Once he gets what he wants, he'll leave you for good!"
I listened in silence as she laid all her cards on the table.
This was exactly what I wanted.
Lucas was, as expected, a fox.
He wanted my backing, and at the same time, he craved his so-called "soulmate."
He really believed he could have both women dancing to his tune.
"Is that so?" I pulled out a pack of wet wipes from my bag and slowly cleaned my hands.
"Well, I wish you and your glorious soulmate all the best." I said.
I tossed the used wet wipe into the trash can by her door, "Keep the tie. Just think of it as a rag for your mess."
I turned and headed for the elevator.
Stella yelled after me, sounding desperate, "Vivian, don't get too full of yourself.
"He was with me for a full thirty minutes last night!"
I stopped in my tracks, without looking back.
"Just half an hour." My voice echoed down the empty hallway, "That's all you're worth to him."