Veronica's POV
I have been married for eight years and have a seven year old daughter.
Crystal chandeliers were hanging from the ceiling like frozen ice and reflecting on the marble floor. Laughter and music filled the hall as another successful collaboration between Rollings Designs and Harmon Designs.
Tonight, I was walking among the black suit waiters at the Club Aura Gardens. I was busy serving some of the most powerful people in the city.
My fingers tightened around the silver tray I was holding and kept a low gaze. Not that anyone knew me, but there was one person whom I knew better than anyone.
The man who hosted the party–Jonathan Rollings, the man everyone admired.
My husband.
Yet no one here knew, because he never made our marriage public.
To them, I was simply a server carrying a tray of wine, moving quietly through the crowd.
At the center of everyone's attention stood Jonathan Rollings.
Tall. Elegant. Untouchable.
The same man who once vowed to love and take care of me at all times and forsake all women.
The same man tonight had another woman dangling from his arm. And she was Imelda Harmon.
She was leaning against him as if she owned not only everything around her, but him as well.
The crowd kept looking at them with admiration and kept calling them 'match made in heaven.
"The Rollings and Harmons are the richest families, and now they'll be united."
Their whispers were like knives stabbing into my heart.
No one noticed the woman who served the drinks was the real Mrs. Rollings.
I forced myself to look away as I couldn't lose this job. Even though Jonathan got me the job, and as his wife, who could fire me, but with Imelda around, I know even he won't save me.
Janet's school fees was also due and the rent was already two months late.
Just then, I heard a small sob from the corner of the hall.
My heart dropped.
"Janet?"
I rushed over and saw my daughter wiping tears from her eyes.
"Janet?!" I said, as I held her by her tiny fragile arms. "What's the matter dear?"
Her cheeks were wet with tears.
"Mommy…" She sniffed so I crouched down beside her.
"Janet," I said, "What happened? Why are you crying?"
"Mommy," Janet said sniffing. "Adrian said daddy is his daddy and he doesn't love me. Is that true?"
I turned around and saw Jonathan had softly rested his hand gently over Imelda's Son, Adrian's head.
I pulled her in my arms and consoled her.
"Janet dear," I said in a soft voice. "Remember what daddy said, don't you?"
She nodded.
"Then?" I said. "Remember, he loves you, okay?"
She nodded again.
Suddenly a sharp voice rang across the ballroom.
"Waiter!"
I looked up and saw Imelda was staring directly at me as her lips curved into a smirk.
My fingers were trembling as I went over towards Jonathan.
Then the music began to play and everyone called out for Jonathan and Imelda to grace the floors. Jonathan gave me a side gaze, as if asking my permission.
I laughed inside, as which wife would. And true to say, he didn't bother. He turned towards Imelda, held her by her waist and began to dance.
I clenched the tray with my fists as I watched them dance away.
Imelda's occasional smirk towards me, made me feel degraded, but there was nothing I could do.
Legally, I was his wife. Yet, here I was hiding away, working as a server, while she was standing around him proudly.
All because she was the rich lady who was making his dream of having power come true. Though the sacrifices that allowed him to stand here tonight, were all forgotten or erased.
Seven years ago, when he wanted to begin his own business, I not only sold my jewelry, but my jewelry designs as well, and gathered the foundation money for him.
Yet tonight, none of them had any value.
I was serving wine again as Jonathan was busy chatting with Imelda hanging on, when a crash, and a slap sound flew across the hall.
I turned around to see it was my daughter Janet who got slapped by a socialite.
I ran over, as several guests had already turned towards her. Some of them looked with shock while the others were just curious and thought maybe this was part of the party.
"Ma'am," I said as I caressed her cheek. "What's the matter?"
"Is she your brat?" The socialite retorted.
"Yes," I said in a stern voice. "She's my daughter."
By then Jonathan and Imelda had also walked over.
"Miss Sharon," Imelda asked in a pitiful voice. "What's the matter?"
"Oh, Mrs Rollings." Sharon said. "I saw this child stealing a pastry."
"And now," she said, looking at me. I understand. Her mother is one of the servers here. Mr Rollings, I think you should deal with her and this brat."
Jonathan had clenched his fists.
I couldn't figure out if he was angry with us or for us, but my doubt faded fast enough.
"Veronica!" He yelled. "Your late husband worked at my company. The reason I gave you this job out of respect. Is this how you repay me?"
The words 'late husband' pierced into my heart like a knife. ?
"Mr Rollings," Sharon said. "I think a fine is justified."
"Garett." Jonathan called out.
"Yes, Mr Rollings!" Garett said as he came running over.
"Deduct the pastry price from her salary."
"Yes, Mr Rollings." Garett said.
"Veronica," he said, looking towards me. "I hope you understand your position and teach your child—"
"Sorry," I said, cutting his words. "Mr Rollings for the trouble I and my daughter caused you."
"Veronica," Imelda butted in. "As a mother, you should teach your daughter which line and which line she should never dream of crossing. Jonathan, don't you think so?"
"Yes," Jonathan said, head held high. "Imelda is absolutely correct."
Suddenly his expression changed as he met my gaze. "I mean—"
"Mr Rollings," I said, cutting in again. "Don't worry I will teach my daughter to not cross lines she should never think about. And, I have not forgotten that my husband is dead."
"Veronica!" Jonathan yelled.
Everyone began to look at him confused, whispering.
Why's Mr Rollings getting so angry? Didn't he just admit her husband is dead?
If her husband is dead, why the anger? Didn't he himself say so?
"I mean," Jonathan said. "Bringing your daughter here is not a good idea. You should leave her—"
"I would Mr Rollings," I said in a stern voice. "If I had someone at home. After all, I left my family for my husband. And, now even he has left me."
"Veronica…" he held his hand towards me.
"Jonathan," Imelda said tugging on his arm. "The party is still going on."
Just then the boy on whose head Jonathan had placed his hand before, entered the hall. He had changed his clothes. Now he was wearing a limited edition black suit.
The guests immediately smiled upon seeing him.
"Dad!"
Jonathan picked him up in his arms, and went towards the stage.
"Everyone," he said. "Please gather around. Apart from the fact my project kicked off. I have another announcement."
Everyone went silent in anxiousness to know what he was going to announce.
"I've officially adopted Adrian. From today onwards he will be Adrian Rollings."
Everyone clapped as someone called out, "When will Imelda become a Rollings?"
"She already is." Jonathan replied calmly.
As he showed their marriage certificate, the color from his face disappeared the moment his eyes met mine.
Guilt, and regret were evident in his eyes.
"Kiss-kiss-kiss…" Everyone began to clap and call out.
(I was standing on the side and couldn't hear them)
Imelda leaned in closer and whispered, "Jonathan, Veronica loves you. She'll understand. And aren't you doing all this for her and your daughter?"
"Yes."
The next moment, they had a lip-to-lip kiss.
I swallowed my pride and love down my throat.
This place was not for my tears. Especially not in front of these strangers.
Then Adrian called out 'mom-dad'.
Both leaned down and were going to kiss on her cheeks.
I covered my daughter Janet's eyes.
I bore the betrayal, but I will not allow my daughter to bear her father's betrayal.
Again as his eyes met with mine, the same guilt was in his eyes.
I took hold of Janet's hand and walked back to the kitchen.
"Veronica, the party is almost over." Garett said. "Why don't you go back home? And, it's far away as well, plus it's so late at night."
"Okay," I said as I took off the badge.
"Veronica!" Garett called out. "Here."
He handed me a hundred dollar bill.
"Take it." he said. "I had to deduct as Rollings said. Buy something for Janet."
"Thank you." I smiled and left through the back door.
I barely reached the end of the alley, my phone vibrated.
Will come home tonight — Hubby.
I stared at the message for a little long time as a bitter laugh escaped my lips.
A small laugh left my lips as I read the word 'hubby'.
"How ironic." I said.
"Mommy," Janet said in her soft voice. "Will daddy be coming home tonight?"
"Yes," I sighed.
Jonathan is the father who doesn't allow her, his own biological daughter to use his surname, but today announced in public, the son of another man, to be called 'Rollings'.
And why not, after all, in everyone's eyes, Imelda is his fiance and they are to marry soon. So, it's only natural for Adrian to be called a 'Rollings'.
Even though Imelda's marriage certificate was a fake one, she was more real than any real wife could be, and I was as fake as fake could be.
Janet is too young to understand the adult world.
But today, it was different.
Tonight I finally realized, the man I married eight years ago–
No longer existed.