Velvet Lies & Silent Vows

The glint of light from the crystal chandelier in the mansion’s master bedroom illuminated the diamond necklace around Evelyn’s neck. The woman smiled contentedly in front of the dressing table mirror, smoothing out her red silk evening gown. All the luxuries adorning her had been purchased using her husband’s unlimited credit card.

The bedroom door opened slowly. The sound of wheels scraping against the marble floor could be heard. Dorian struggled to push his wheelchair into the room. The man was slightly out of breath after crossing the mansion’s long corridor.

“Where on earth are you off to at this time of night, Evelyn?” asked Dorian.

“Do you really think I’ve dressed up this beautifully and put on such expensive jewellery just to sit idly in my room?” replied Evelyn without turning her head.

“Ivy isn’t asleep yet. She’s been looking for you since this afternoon. At least keep her company for a bit before you go.”

“Dorian, don’t start. We’ve got three nannies in this house. Why are you paying them such a fortune if I still have to bother looking after Ivy as well?”

“Because you’re her mum. She needs your attention, not just from the nannies.”

“Don’t lecture me on how to be a good mother. What can you actually do for Ivy right now? You can’t even manage to run around in the park with her.”

“My condition is only temporary. But the way you treat our child will have a lifelong impact, Evelyn.”

“Say what you like. I’m fed up with listening to your lectures every single day.” Evelyn turned away, looking Dorian up and down with an expression of utter disgust. “Do you think I’m happy living like this? Locked up in a mansion this big with a husband who needs help just to get to the bathroom?”

“I’m undergoing regular physiotherapy. The doctor says there’s been progress and I’ll make a full recovery.”

“Recovered when? Next year? In ten years’ time?” Evelyn laughed softly, her tone deeply dismissive. “Listen, Dorian. I’m still young, still beautiful. I need some fun out there. I’m bored to death being a housewife who just sits around in this huge house waiting for some uncertain miracle.”

"So that’s why you’re constantly out and about every night? Because you’re bored of me and this house?"

"Yes! Of course I’m bored and ashamed!" Evelyn stepped closer, pointing directly at Dorian’s stiff, motionless leg. "You used to be the most feared Chief Executive, the most perfect man I was proud to be seen with wherever I went. But now? You’re just a weak, crippled man. You can’t even satisfy me like a normal husband should!”

"Evelyn, watch what you say."

"Why? Are you offended because what I said is true?" Evelyn folded her arms, smiling sardonically. "I’m only staying in this marriage now because of your wealth. If it weren’t for my title as the CEO’s wife and all these luxurious amenities, I’d have filed for divorce last month."

"If you feel that exhausted and are just suffering here, why didn’t you just ask for a divorce ages ago?"

"I’m not stupid. If we get divorced now, I’ll lose this unlimited credit card and won’t be able to shop to my heart’s content anymore. As long as the money in your account keeps flowing freely to me, I’ll remain your wife on paper."

“You’ve really changed, Evelyn. You only care about money and your own lifestyle.”

“The truth is bitter, darling. In this world, there’s no such thing as free love.” Evelyn picked up a small gold-plated handbag from the dressing table. “I’m leaving now. I’ve got an invitation to a private party from my socialite friends. Don’t bother waiting for me to come home.”

“Who are you going out with? It can’t just be a regular social gathering if you’ve dressed up this much. I know you’re hiding something from me.”

“Hiding what? Don’t start imagining all sorts of nonsense. Your brain’s going to get rusty from staying cooped up at home for too long.”

“I’m your husband, Evelyn. I have a right to know who my wife is going out with every night.”

“You’re nothing but a husband on paper! Don’t act like you’re in charge of my life. Do you think I don’t know that you’ve secretly told Liam to check my spending?”

“Because you’re squandering my money recklessly on who knows what.”

“That money is compensation for having to endure the shame of having a husband like you! It’s none of your business who I go out with. Just sit nicely in your wheelchair. Remember your place now, Dorian.”

Without waiting for Dorian’s reply, Evelyn strode out of the room. The sound of her high heels echoed loudly as she walked away down the mansion’s corridor. Dorian could only remain silent, his jaw clenched. He manoeuvred his wheelchair with great difficulty towards the large glass window in the corner of the room, which looked directly out onto the front garden.

From up there, Dorian could clearly see the garden lights shining brightly. A luxurious silver sports car had just pulled into the mansion’s grounds and stopped right in front of the main entrance. It was Adrian’s car—his wife’s lover.

Dorian watched as the front door opened. Evelyn walked gracefully towards the car. The car window rolled down, and Adrian immediately got out to open the door for her. Before Evelyn got into the car, Adrian pulled her by the waist. Evelyn didn’t resist in the slightest; instead, she wrapped both her arms around Adrian’s neck.

“You look absolutely stunning tonight, darling,” Adrian complimented.

“Just for you, Adrian. Come on, let’s get out of here quickly before my crippled husband spots us from the window,” replied Evelyn with a coy laugh.

Under the mansion’s lights, his lawful wife returned Adrian’s kiss with great passion. The betrayal was happening right there, so blatantly before his very eyes.

Dorian clenched the armrests of his wheelchair with mounting rage. His knuckles turned white. He found it hard to breathe at the sight of that repulsive scene. The silver sports car finally sped away from the driveway.

The silence of the room was broken by the sound of footsteps at the door. Liam, his personal assistant, stood there in a smart suit. The man stepped inside slowly.

“Did you see everything from downstairs just now, Liam?” asked Dorian in a hoarse yet icy voice.

“Yes, Mr Dorian. I saw Mrs Evelyn leave with that lover of hers. Have you made your final decision?”

Dorian swivelled his wheelchair so that he was facing his assistant directly. “Get the shabby clothes and the false identity I asked for yesterday. If she can play dirty out there, why shouldn’t this disabled man step in to teach her a lesson in person?”

Liam looked at his boss seriously, then took a special mobile phone from his jacket pocket.

“All your disguises are ready, sir. But are you really sure you want to take to the streets and risk what little self-respect you have left by pretending to be a poor tramp from tomorrow morning?”

.

The chilly morning air seeped sharply through the wide-open window of the mansion. Dorian sat silently in his wheelchair in the grand dining room, yet the atmosphere felt so hollow and lifeless. The ten-metre-long dining table was immaculately laid, complete with arrangements of fresh flowers and gleaming white porcelain plates, but not a single member of the household staff dared to approach.

The servants preferred to keep busy in the kitchen, deliberately avoiding the dining room for fear of running into Evelyn, who would usually vent her anger for no reason from the moment the sun rose. Dorian stared at the table with a vacant gaze. He tried to reach for the glass of water at the far end of the table. His trembling arm strained to grasp the smooth wooden surface.

He held his breath, a rasping sound rising in his throat. Just as his fingers were about to touch the glass, the muscles in his hand began to tremble violently, beyond his control.