Darwin initially thought he deserved the reward for the foolish and unbecoming behavior he had done in the past. He even took it on the chin when Damian assigned a task as a sign of his seriousness in proving whether he was worthy or not to continue accompanying Veronica as her husband.
Truly, when he found out that his fate was manipulated by his father-in-law, Darwin felt two things: disappointment and relief. Darwin had thought that his commitment to fighting for Veronica was considered a mere game. But on the other hand, he couldn’t help but feel relieved because no matter what, from the beginning, he was serious about doing what was instructed and ultimately proved that he deserved to be Veronica’s partner and continue his marriage to his wife.
Darwin thought everything would end here. He never expected that there would be something else he needed to clarify to his wife like tonight.
“For God’s sake, Veronica. Can you explain what you just said?”
Darwin couldn’t hide his surprise when he heard what Veronica had just revealed. He was sure that his wife had just confessed to something significant.
“Beforehand, I apologize,” whispered Veronica. Her facial expression became increasingly difficult for Darwin to read. “I know you must be confused by what I just said.”
“Yeah, I’m really confused,” Darwin nodded repeatedly. He was even unsure how to react to his wife. “That’s why you need to tell me what really happened.”
Veronica nodded, took a deep breath, then directed her gaze towards her husband and began to speak.
“As you heard from Vivian… it’s true that someone approached her and invited her to work together to separate us. And that person was neither Sean nor Dad. The man who repeatedly met with Vivian is Mr. Andy. He’s the trusted individual I assigned to meet your ex.”
Veronica then remembered that day, the day she deliberately arranged for Vivian to attend a large meeting and Vortex Group’s birthday celebration event. She also intentionally brought her husband to the party.
Seeing how Darwin treated Vivian when they met at the party didn’t make Veronica happy. The next day, she immediately met with Andy Prasojo, her trusted person, to do something she deemed important.
“So, what task do you want me to do this time, Mrs. Veronica?” Andy asked when he met Veronica at a cafe on that particular day.
“In the coming days, I will be leaving for Korea with my husband and cousins. I want you, Mr. Andy, to meet Vivian Ayudya. Invite her to work together to separate me and Darwin.”
Andy furrowed his brow, trying to understand the instructions Veronica had just given him.
“What do you mean, Mrs. Veronica?”
“Just as you heard a moment ago,” Veronica replied confidently. “I want you to invite her to collaborate. Offer her a large sum of money. I want to see what her reaction will be.”
From this command, Andy understood. Apparently, his superior had instructed him to test Darwin’s former lover whom he had once investigated.
“But what if she refuses my invitation to work together?” Andy asked.
Veronica took a sip of her green tea first. She smiled, then responded softly.
“If she refuses, just give it a few days or weeks, then invite her again with a higher offer. After that, we’ll see together if she sticks to her choice or if she gets lured by the money we’re offering and falls into the trap I’ve set.”
Darwin was once again stunned for a moment after hearing what Veronica had revealed. Shortly after, he blinked and shook his head in disbelief. All this time, he had been searching and speculating, and it turned out that Veronica was the mastermind behind it all.
“But why, Ve? Why did you do all of this?” Darwin asked incredulously.
From her husband’s eyes, Veronica could tell that Darwin was very surprised, and he might even be in shock from what he had just heard. There was no other way around it; Veronica needed to explain all of this so that everything could be clear, and nothing would be hidden anymore.
“Actually, I did all of this just to make sure and test whether you and Vivian can be trusted.”
“What?” Darwin repeated. “So, you did this to test my loyalty and Vivian’s commitment to the agreement you made?”
Veronica nodded.
“Again, I’m truly sorry. After what you did in the beginning, and realizing that you used to be deeply in love with Vivian, I couldn’t just easily trust that you could change in such a short time.”
“Oh my God, Veronica,” Darwin exclaimed, continuing to shake his head. “So, from the beginning, you doubted and didn’t fully trust me?”
No one could count how many times Veronica nodded as Darwin asked questions. Veronica was sure that tonight her husband would interrogate her to the root of the problem.
Honestly, at first, yes. But since the sweet gestures you showed in Korea and all the proof you provided, I slowly began to believe in your sincerity. Because of this, after that, I willingly did what a husband and wife should have done a long time ago.”
Darwin took a deep breath, trying to understand every word that came out of his wife’s mouth. For some reason, he found it difficult to describe his mixed feelings at the moment.
“And after you believed in me, you still tried to test Vivian by instructing someone else to invite her to work together?”
Veronica nodded again. She didn’t deny or object to what Darwin accused her of because everything her husband said was true.
“Yes.”
“But why, Veronica?”
“Clearly, to make sure whether Vivian is sincere in keeping her promise or if she’s tempted by the offer I made.”
Darwin then chuckled bitterly. For some reason, he found it amusing to hear what Veronica had just said.
“The fact is, after many times your messenger came to invite her, Vivian refused every time, right?”
“Yes,” Veronica nodded. “Luckily, Vivian always refused.”
“But what if she didn’t?” Darwin interrupted quickly. His facial expression showed curiosity about what his wife would say.
“If she had any ulterior motives, of course, I wouldn’t just sit idly by, Win. You can probably guess what I might have done.”
Darwin then rubbed his face in frustration. Now, he was confused about how to behave towards his wife. Should he be angry? Or should he let this event overflow and be forgotten?
“Or perhaps the accident that happened to Vivian’s aunt is also related to you?” Darwin suddenly accused, after previously being silent for a few moments. When he thought about it, what Veronica did made sense. After all, his wife had power and was capable of doing anything. “I remember clearly, you once threatened to do anything to Vivian and her aunt if she dared to cross the line.”
“I’m not that crazy, Win,” Veronica objected vehemently. Despite admitting all of her actions just a moment ago, this time Veronica strongly denied the inhumane actions her husband accused her of. “Even though I could do anything, I never thought of harming anyone else. For God’s sake, I have absolutely no connection with what happened to Vivian’s aunt.”
Darwin was almost at a loss for words. He didn’t even know how to behave anymore. What’s more, he had initially been sitting on the bed, but now he chose to move down as if he were about to leave.
“Where are you going, Win?” Veronica asked when she noticed Darwin’s sudden change in attitude.
“I need some time alone,” the man said briefly, walking toward the wardrobe and grabbing one of his casual shirts, as he had been shirtless all this time.
“Are you angry with me?” Veronica whispered. She felt increasingly uneasy seeing Darwin’s cold and emotionless demeanor.
Darwin turned around and walked back towards Veronica, stopping right in front of the bed.
“What do you think, should I be angry about everything that has happened?”
“Win…”
Darwin then raised one of his hands into the air, shaking his head to signal Veronica not to continue her sentence.
Darwin was afraid that if his wife continued to talk at length, he wouldn’t be able to contain his emotions anymore.
“Just so you know, I really can’t describe how I feel about the events of the past few days, Ve. When I think about it, I feel like a fool whose fate has been so manipulated. I know I deserve the consequences of my past actions, but this isn’t the way.”
“Win,” Veronica called out once more. This time, she hoped her husband would listen first to what she was going to say. “Papa and I didn’t intend to play with you.”
“Oh, of course. You weren’t playing with me. You were just testing my loyalty and commitment in our relationship, right?” Darwin replied with a tone that was clearly sarcastic.
Veronica felt even more uncomfortable and guilty, especially when she saw Darwin’s initially happy expression gradually become blank and expressionless.
“I’m truly sorry. Maybe what I did went too far. But please, try to understand my intentions and goals here.”
“I’m not angry, Ve,” Darwin said, shaking his head as he continued speaking. “I’m just disappointed. And it seems like I need some time to calm down and sort out my jumbled feelings right now.”
Darwin then left the room and went somewhere else. At this moment, he really needed some time alone to calm his troubled heart and mind.