**Chapter 3: The Misguided Pill** As dawn broke, Victoria stirred from her restless slumber, her head heavy and her throat scratchy. Had she truly caught a cold? As her mind cleared, she instinctively reached into her bedside drawer for the fever medicine she always kept on hand, pouring some warm water into a glass. With a quick glance around to ensure she was alone, she swallowed the pill. But then, a chilling realization hit her like a wave crashing against the shore—this was not the medicine she intended to take. Panic surged as her eyes widened; she dashed into the bathroom, her heart racing, and quickly expelled the pill from her mouth. She leaned over the sink, rinsing her mouth repeatedly, determined to rid herself of every trace of that mistaken drug. The sound of Alaric’s voice echoed through the stillness, and her pulse quickened. "What happened? Why did you rush in here? Are you sick?" He stood in the doorway, concern knitting his brow as he studied her face. Caught off guard, she stumbled over her words, her heart racing. “It’s nothing. I just… took the wrong pill,” she stammered, wiping the moisture from her lips before exiting the bathroom, desperate to leave behind the encounter. Alaric continued to watch her, his expression thoughtful. Something was off with Victoria; he could sense it. Since returning home the previous day, she had been acting strangely, almost withdrawn. They shared a quiet breakfast, and soon, they were stepping out of the house together. Alaric's gaze lingered on her pale complexion, a frown deepening. “Do you want to ride in my car?” he inquired, concern lacing his voice. Though the remnants of a chilly rain still clung to the air, Victoria felt the weight of her illness pressing down on her. She opened her mouth to respond, but before she could utter a word, his phone buzzed, breaking the moment. A quick glance revealed it was a call from Claudia. Alaric hesitated, torn between his obligation to the call and his concern for his wife. He wanted to rush inside to answer, but a glance at Victoria showed her already retreating, slipping away before he could protest. Their marriage had always been a careful balancing act—more of a partnership in name than in companionship. Victoria had never been the one to pry into his conversations; their separate worlds coexisted without much overlap. But that morning, the sight of her leaving before he had a chance to comfort her tightened a knot in his stomach. He shook it off as he answered the call, leaving Victoria alone to watch from a distance. As she observed Alaric’s demeanor shift, her heart ached with an emotion she loathed to name. The softness etched across his features as he spoke with Claudia sparked a jealousy she desperately fought to suppress. In the stillness of the office building, she stepped away, reaching for her phone with trembling hands. Five minutes later, the call ended, and Alaric turned, scanning the area—only to find Victoria had vanished. His eyes flickered down to the new message on his phone: *“I urgently need to get to the office, so I've left first.”* Alaric’s jaw tightened as the day’s unease settled like a dark cloud over him. Meanwhile, Victoria arrived at her office, knowing she had to push through her discomfort. As she sank into her chair with a heavy sigh, she laid her head against the cool surface of her desk, whispering to herself how unbearable her headache was. Yet, a deeper dread loomed over her mind—she couldn’t take any medication, not while she was pregnant. The realization clawed at her. Their marriage was merely a façade, and the thought of bearing a child only amplified her isolation. What good would it do to bring a life into this sad charade? Only Griselda would rejoice, while Alaric would likely react with horror, urging her to end it for the sake of his ties to Claudia. “Miss Victoria,” a gentle voice pulled her from her troubling thoughts. It was Yasmin Labauve, her assistant, concern etched across her features. Victoria straightened and mustered a gentle smile. “Good morning. You’re here early.” Yasmin, however, didn’t mirror her cheer. “You look unwell. Are you sick?” Caught off guard, Victoria shook her head vigorously. “I’m fine. Just had a tough night, that’s all.” “Really? You don’t look fine at all. Maybe you should take today off and see a doctor.” The worry in Yasmin’s voice intensified, but Victoria was not one to collapse easily. “I can handle it,” she insisted, redirecting the conversation towards work. “Have you finished yesterday’s reports?” Despite Yasmin’s obvious concern, she complied, handing over the documents and pouring Victoria a cup of warm water to stave off her chills. “Drink this. It’ll help.” Victoria’s heart warmed at the unexpected kindness. She took a sip, the warmth coursing through her system, lifting the shadows that had settled in her chest, if only briefly. “Miss Victoria, why don’t I submit the report while you rest here?” Yasmin suggested, her voice earnest. “No, I can do it,” Victoria replied firmly, shaking her head. It was only a mild fever; she refused to indulge in comfort she didn’t deserve. If she started taking time off now, what would happen if she truly needed help in the future? Determined, she shuffled through her documents and made her way toward Alaric’s office. Each step felt heavier, the distance between their offices suddenly daunting. *Knock! Knock!* “Enter.” Bracing herself, she pushed the door open, only to recoil slightly at the sight that greeted her. Claudia stood there, resplendent in a flowing white dress that accentuated her every curve. Her long locks flowed like silk, illuminated by the rays of sunlight pouring through the expansive windows. Victoria froze, a thick tension gripping her as she recognized the other figure in the room. “Oh, Victoria!” Claudia exclaimed, her voice laced with warmth. Without waiting for a response, she glided toward her, enveloping her in a hug that felt as suffocating as it was unexpected. The embrace left Victoria paralyzed, her gaze darting to Alaric, who leaned against his desk, watching intently—his dark eyes piercing into her being, revealing nothing of his thoughts. As Claudia released her, the façade of goodwill remained. “I’ve heard quite a lot from Alaric about your situation. You must let me know how I can help.” A jolt of disbelief shot through Victoria. *Alaric had told her everything?* But it dawned on her why it had to be this way. Their union was hardly a secret, and given Claudia's return, an explanation was inevitable. Pushing aside her resentment, she forced a smile. “Thank you. When did you get back?” “I flew in yesterday,” Claudia replied, a smile lighting her face. Yesterday—the same day Alaric had rushed to meet her. In that moment, the truth hit Victoria like a punch to the gut: Claudia would always be the centerpiece of Alaric’s heart. “Your complexion doesn’t look too good,” Claudia remarked suddenly, her brows knitting in concern. “Are you feeling alright?” As if the tension in the room had multiplied, Alaric turned sharply towards Victoria, his expression darkening as he surveyed her from head to toe. “Is it because you got wet walking home in the rain last night?” he probed, his voice laced with a hint of irritation. “Walking in the rain?” Claudia blinked, confused. Victoria sighed, her voice barely above a whisper, about to explain when Alaric cut in sharply. “If you're feeling this ill, why push yourself? The company won’t crumble without you. Go home and rest.” Claudia glanced at him, bewilderment in her eyes. Why was he suddenly so upset? But Victoria, caught in the whirlwind of conflicting emotions, felt the walls closing in around her. In that moment, she felt the pressure of everything—the hidden resentment, the disappointment, the fear of what lay ahead. She stood in the heart of the chaos, grasping for control as the world continued to spiral beyond her reach.