If Bradon had been going to all these events and working in Anthony’s place all this time, then where did the real Antony go?
For how long has this been going on?
My heart thumped fast in my chest when it felt like I was just so close to unravelling the truth. It wasn’t at all like Antony to ditch his duties and leave it to his brother. I scrolled through the posts on his social media as I squinted my eyes to judge whether the man in the photo was Bradon or the real Anthony. Admittingly, it was a challenge at first; however, I could feel myself getting better at it. Little by little, I got more confident in telling the Bradon version of Anthony apart from the real Anthony.
My finger came to a stop at a post made during the recent company meeting. That post caught my attention because it was such an important event for Anthony as well as his family. Coincidentally, the event was hosted very close to our wedding date. My chest grew tight as I zoomed in on the photo to get a clearer look. I wished that I was wrong about what I was seeing because the man who was in the photo was Bradon and not Anthony.
What could have happened to him that would have made him miss the meeting announcing him as the official heir?
Suddenly, there was a soft knock on my bedroom door. I knew immediately that it was Jenna who was there to see me. I breathed a sigh of relief that it wasn’t Bradon who was standing at my door.
“Excuse me, Diana...” she called out to me.
“Wait a moment,” I replied.
Jenna’s nervous face greeted me when I opened the door. My eyes immediately fell to the small white tray that she held with her hands.
“Master Bradon ordered me to give you this,” she explained.
“Right...” I murmured as I took the small tray from her.
“I also got Bella to bring you some food since you didn’t join Master Bradon for dinner,” she informed me with a smile.
That was when I realized that Bella was standing not too far away from Jenna with a trolley of food in front of her. She smiled brightly at me when she saw me.
“Thank you...” I thanked them simply.
I was too wrapped up in my thoughts about Anthony to really care about what they had brought to me. After letting Bella roll in the trolley of food and setting it up on the table, I was glad to return to my privacy again after the two of them left. The food did not interest me but the dark-color small ziplock bags that were on the tray did.
I picked them up while wondering what Bradon had sent to me. My eyes narrowed at the pills that were inside the bags. I could tell without looking at them in detail that the pills in one of the blister packs were contraceptive pills while the other was an emergency morning after pill. My eyes narrowed before I let out a scoff at the unexpected gift that he had sent me.
Is this his way of showing that he cares or is he just scared that I would get pregnant?
I stared at the pills for a few seconds while fighting off the urge to do something stupid like let myself take on the risk of pregnancy just to piss him off. Bradon would undoubtedly be more than slightly troubled if I were to become pregnant with his child. Just thinking of the look of shock on his face brought a smile to my lips. I killed off that stupid rebellious thought before it could take root in my mind or in my actions. I wasn’t ready to become a mother and I was certain that no child would want Bradon for a father either. Things were dangerous and complicated enough for both of us without adding an innocent life into the equation.
“Why would I ever want his child anyways?” I muttered to myself before slipping the pill between my lips and reaching for the glass of water that Jenna had readily prepared.
My eyes dropped to the pack of contraceptive pills that he had Jenna delivered. I did not miss the fact that he did not send any condoms to me. The lack of condoms and the presence of the pills made his intent as clear as day.
He truly intends to keep on doing it raw...huh?
...
**A few days later**
“Where is Bradon?” I asked the first maid that I spotted after heading out of my bedroom.
“The Master has gone out,” the maid replied politely.
“He’s gone?” I asked incredulously.
“I am sorry, My Lady...” the maid replied with her eyes casted downward.
“Don’t apologize. This isn’t your fault. I’m sorry for taking it out on you...” I said before heaving a sigh.
Dawn hadn’t even broken properly yet and he was already out of the house. I wouldn’t be surprised if he stopped coming home altogether at this rate. The maid mumbled some polite parting words before heading off to attend to her duties. There were times when I wished that I had an actual job to do just like everyone else.
Ever since that day that I visited Anthony’s office, I have not had the chance to talk to Bradon properly. In fact, I haven’t had the chance to see him in person. He came home so late that sometimes I wasn’t sure if he even came home. My attempt to wait for his return at night all failed and so did my efforts to catch him in the morning.
When does that man even sleep?
“Good morning, Diana...” Jenna greeted me with a smile that looked very forced.
“Good morning,” I replied sweetly before showing her a bright smile.
Now, this is how you’re supposed to fake a smile...
“Umm...” she made a sound as she seemed to ponder what to say to me.
--To be continued...