Chapter 2- Avoiding

ERICA’S POV

I followed him outside, but Cecilia, our housekeeper, blocked my way. She looked worried again. She was one of Troy’s trusted employees and had been working for his family for twenty-five years already.

“Ma’am, please don’t go outside. It’s drizzling. You might catch a cold,” she said with concern.

I nodded at her and watched from a distance as my husband’s car drove away. I wanted to follow him, but I hesitated, fearing that it might only anger him further.

I returned to our room, pondering what Dino had said. Who could be in the hospital, and why was Troy so worried?

He hadn’t mentioned anything to me.

“Erica, stop overthinking this. Maybe it’s just one of the company employees who fell sick,” I scolded myself.

The next day, I woke up late. I had been waiting for Troy to return so we could talk, but I had fallen asleep, and he still hadn’t come home.

I sighed and got ready before heading downstairs to help Cecilia prepare breakfast.

I entered the kitchen and noticed that Troy was already sitting at the table, with food already served.

What time did he come home? Where did he sleep?

He glanced at me but gave me a disapproving look.

I approached the table and was about to sit down when he suddenly spoke.

“Being late is a discipline problem. I think you need to go back to school, but this time, in your husband’s house. You need to correct and improve your behavior. Sit down!” he scolded.

I sat down in front of him, choosing not to react to his harsh words so early in the morning.

“Forget it. I think it’s time for you to learn about some details regarding the medical fund.”

He changed the topic as if his first words hadn’t been hurtful.

I simply took a deep breath and sighed. It was too early in the morning for his temper to flare up.

“What?” I replied in surprise, still keeping my voice low. “You know what I want, right? I want to become a children’s author,” I continued.

“It’s not as simple as you think,” he responded.

“But I want to write. Writing good books for children has been my dream since I was young. And regarding the medical fund, I think it can be handled well with enough money. I’ve already found someone competent who can manage it,” I explained.

He stood up without paying attention to what I had said.

It felt like his decision was final, and there was nothing I could do to change his mind.

He picked up a red rose from the flower vase and threw it onto the table. It landed so hard that it struck my left arm.

He knew I was allergic to roses.

I didn’t know why I was allergic to such a beautiful flower.

From what I had overheard from the people here, his brother had died because of these red roses. I didn’t know the full story of how his brother had died. I hadn’t even seen a photo of him, and Troy always avoided discussing him.

I stood up abruptly when he was about to leave.

“Troy, I…”

I paused when he raised his hand, signaling me to stop talking.

“I noticed you don’t have any appetite. Fine. I’ll have the food removed.”

“Cecilia!” he called.

“Yes, sir?” The elderly woman hurried over because of her master’s loud shout.

“Simply remove the food. We could offer it to those hungry beggars instead of letting it go to waste,” he said before leaving the kitchen without waiting for Cecilia’s reply.

Cecilia looked at me worriedly when she saw that I hadn’t touched my food.

“Ma’am, you should eat,” she said.

“Thank you, Cecilia, but I’m already full,” I replied, even though I hadn’t taken a single bite.

I glanced at Troy as he walked away.

I sighed in frustration.

Why was he acting this way? Why had he become like this?

He had left without even giving me a chance to tell him that he had a visitor.

I didn’t want Cecilia to see how affected I was, so I simply smiled at her when she looked at me.

“Would you like some coffee or tea?” she offered.

“Thanks. Maybe later. I’ll get some fresh air outside,” I answered.

She nodded, and I left her behind.

I went outside to take a stroll in the garden with Butter, our dog, hoping to get some fresh air.

“I hope there’s nothing going on because I don’t know what to do,” I whispered to myself.

Fatima, a family friend, had arrived the previous night and was staying at the mansion. She was already outside. I thought she was either enjoying the fresh air or going for a jog before breakfast.

That was what I had wanted to tell Troy earlier, but I hadn’t gotten the chance because he had turned away from me.

Fatima used to stay here before Troy and I got married. Her parents were close friends and business partners of Troy’s parents.

“Hey, Erica!” she shouted when she spotted me.

She walked over to me, and I smiled and waved at her in return.

“How come Troy doesn’t know you’re allergic to roses? Are you really married?” she asked.

I was taken aback by her question.

I felt comfortable around Fatima because we were similar in age, and she was kind to everyone in the mansion.

“If he really wants us to reconcile and apologize, why did he order Cecilia to remove the food? He saw that I hadn’t eaten yet, and now I’m hungry,” I complained to Fatima.

“Maybe you just misunderstood. I heard that the food had been prepared since last night and was only reheated this morning. Maybe he was worried you’d get a stomachache if you ate it. Your husband cares about your well-being,” Fatima defended Troy.

“So, I was wrong?” I asked her.

“Don’t dwell on it. Come on, let’s take a walk outside so you can enjoy the fresh air. Look at yourself. You’re so pale,” she said.

We walked along the pathway outside the mansion, with Butter following us.

We saw Troy’s car exiting the gate, so we moved aside to let him pass. He was probably on his way to the office, but he suddenly stopped right in front of us.

“Hi, Troy!” Fatima waved and greeted him.

“Don’t talk to him. He’s so arrogant. He won’t even acknowledge you even if he heard you,” I scolded Fatima and pulled her hand down.

“Oh, what are you going to do? Are you going to avoid him again? Don’t be like that. Talk to him. Communicate with him and settle your misunderstanding,” she urged me.

“I’m not avoiding him. I just wanted to take Butter for a walk here,” I answered.

Troy rolled down the car window.

“Get in,” he said, but his gaze remained fixed straight ahead.

“Me?” I asked excitedly.

“I wasn’t talking to you. I’m talking to her,” he added, referring to Fatima.

Fatima looked at me curiously, seemingly waiting for me to say something.

I nodded at her, signaling that they might have something to discuss. She then got into the car without another glance.

“Have a good walk with Butter here, and take good care of her. I hope you enjoy it. After all, you’re used to being alone,” Troy said without looking at me.

Then they drove away.

It hurt me deeply whenever Troy acted like this.

I was left standing there, watching as the car disappeared from my sight.

I sighed and walked around for a few more minutes, feeling heavy-hearted. Eventually, I decided to return to the mansion.

I needed to find out why Troy had been so cold toward me lately.