Chapter 256: She left

Raphael’s POV

I was halfway through explaining the overseas expansion proposal when it hit me that Lynn was taking too long, my mind was barely keeping up with the words I was saying.

The numbers rolled off my tongue automatically like it was my second nature, projections, partnerships, logistics all delivered in the same confident tone people expected from me. Years of experience since way back I was still an undergrad made it easy to perform, to sound composed even when my thoughts were nowhere near the conversation because my mind was with her.

I glanced at my Patek Philippe, 15 minutes since Braelyn had excused herself. This was like the 6th time I was checking my wrist watch.

I told myself she probably needed air. The ballroom was overwhelming, she was never good around crowds. She’d looked tense at my side all evening, her smiles just a little too careful.

Still, something about it unsettled me.

I rolled the stem of my champagne glass between my fingers, watching the golden liquid catch the chandelier light. The crystal above reflected across the surface like fractured stars. I forced my attention back to the foreign investor standing before me, a perceptive man with sharp eyes that missed very little.

“Do you have elsewhere to be?” The investor mentioned sensing my mood. “This is the 6th time you have checked your wrist watch since your wife excused herself,” he said teasingly

I gave a polite smile. “Today is our 5th anniversary. We have somewhere to be later. I’m just a bit concerned..” I explained. The Investor smiled at my words.

He was a married man himself..”I understand, the Mrs and I celebrated our 15th anniversary a few months back. Women get really excited about these things. Maybe she is nervous .” He said with a half laugh. The corners of his eyes crinkled..

I gave him a subtle nod. He sighed understandingly. Something flickered past his eyes then he quickly changed the topic.

“You have a sharp nose for mistakes,” he said, his tone thoughtful. “It’s surprising you lost the Rising Stars award.”

The comment pulled me fully back into the moment, but it also dragged another image with it, Lucien’s entrance earlier.

For a brief second, when he walked in with that calm confidence and unreadable expression, I’d almost thought…No. It’s impossible, I sighed. There was no way he was Killian Orlov.

And yet the air around him had felt different. It was heavy and disturbingly familiar in a way I couldn’t explain. The thought had clung to me all evening like a shadow I couldn’t shake.

“It was a fair competition,” I replied smoothly, offering a modest smile. “And while I don’t usually acknowledge rivals, Killian Orlov is someone we can all agree is exceptional.”

The investor looked pleased. “You are truly humble.”

I inclined my head slightly, accepting the praise with practised grace. But as my gaze drifted toward the side entrance of the ballroom, my composure faltered.

Amelia. She was walking in through the doors, as she belonged there. Dressed in a striking red suit and bold cherry lips at first glance it was obvious she was out for blood..

My stomach dropped.

What was she doing here?

A cold unease slid through me as I realised which direction she had come from. The exit corridor was the same one Braelyn had taken.

My fingers tightened unconsciously around the champagne glass. The stem pressed hard into my skin, grounding me in the sudden rush of dread flooding my chest. The investor was still speaking, but his voice blurred into distant noise under the thunder of my own heartbeat.

Amelia was unstable, obsessive and a psycho capable of things she later pretended were accidents. She didn’t do anything to Lynn. Or did she?

If she had followed Braelyn…”Mr Volkov?” the investor asked, his brows knitting together. “Are you alright? You look pale,” he said snapping me from my daze.

“I’m sorry,” I said quickly, already stepping back. “Please excuse me for a moment.” he was confused by my sudden withdrawal but had a quiet understanding.

“Mrs Volkov has been gone for a while indeed.” He muttered.

I turned, scanning the room, searching for any sign of my wife but before I could move far, Amelia drifted closer to the group with a bright, artificial smile. She greeted the investor as if this were a harmless social call, her tone light was almost playful.

He chimed giving her a polite smile returning the courtesy, I didn’t acknowledge her, couldn’t bother spending a second more. I moved past her or tried to.

Her fingers wrapped around my arm stopping me in my tracks. My irritation bubbled up immediately.

Slowly, I turned my head to look at her, and the fear that flickered across her face told me my expression was anything but polite.

“I don’t have time for this,” I said coldly, pulling my arm free. I had barely taken a step when her voice followed me.

“You shouldn’t bother,” she said lazily. “Lynn isn’t here anymore.” There was this glee in her voice that made my stomach.

Everything inside me went still.

I turned back so sharply my chair scraped loudly behind me. “What did you do?” I demanded, my voice low and dangerous. “Where is my wife?” I snapped walking into her space. She jolted back knowing I was teetering on the edge.

A few nearby guests glanced in our direction, sensing the tension. Amelia only smiled.

“I didn’t do anything,” she said sweetly. “She left on her own.” she slurred with a careless look.

Something flickered through my eyes. Lynn didn’t possibly leave. My stomach twisted today was our anniversary. Even during the hell of last year we still kept the day..

Her smile widened. “I am not joking. What can I possibly do with this much security around?” She taunted tilting her head. “I saw her leaving with her lover, our very charming Lucien..” she chuckled.

The name hit me like a punch to the ribs. “You’re lying.” I blurted despite my fist already clenched. “You just want to get under my nerves..”

She gave a soft laugh again..”Am I? I remembered it’s your anniversary today. Romantic, right? Your wife chose to spend it with her lover instead.” She just had to point out.

Rage surged so violently through my veins that for a second my vision blurred. I stepped toward her, ready to silence her if I had to.

Then my phone buzzed in my hand. The sound cut through the noise like a blade. I looked down at the screen.

Lynn: Something came up. I’m not feeling well. Let’s cancel tonight’s plans.

For a long second, I just stared at the message. My chest felt hollow. She really left. What did I expect of course she wouldn’t want to celebrate our anniversary.

I felt like the fool I had always been.

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