The evening sun cast long shadows as Victor walked out of the imposing office building.
His phone buzzed again with a message from Helena, his girlfriend.
A small smile crept onto his face as he read her text, but it quickly faded when he thought about Rina, his wife.
Today, Victor couldn't help but notice that Rina seemed to be in high spirits, judging by her social media post showcasing her strawberry-themed lunch.
It had been a while since Rina had posted anything on her social media, and seeing her in such good spirits lifted Victor's mood.
As he still couldn't forgive himself for the pain he had caused her.
Victor's marriage had become a labyrinth of secrets and deceit....
He had concealed his relationship with Rina from everyone at work, except for his secretary, Lucas.
This facade had been carefully maintained for years, and the weight of the deception burdened his conscience.
Navigating the dimly lit parking garage, Victor made his way to his car.
Driving through the bustling city streets, he couldn't help but reflect on how his life had become entangled in such complexity.
His history with Rina dated back to childhood, and their families' close ties had led to a hastily arranged contract marriage.
Initially, Victor had hoped that his feelings for Rina could evolve into love, just as they had with Helena.
He believed that the foundation of their friendship could potentially blossom into something deeper as they spent more years together.
However, as time passed, it became clear that they were not destined to be a romantic couple.
No matter how hard Victor tried, he couldn't muster romantic love for Rina.
To him, she was like a younger sister due to their shared history as childhood friends.
In stark contrast, Helena had entered his life like a whirlwind of passion and excitement.
They had crossed paths at a charity event during their college years, and the instant connection between them had been electrifying.
Their relationship had flourished in secret, shielded from the prying eyes of colleagues and friends.
Their secret affair had come to light when Rina confessed her love for Victor....
At the time, Rina and Helena were close friends, so Victor had swiftly rejected Rina's advances, explaining that he had been in a long-term relationship with Helena.
This revelation had shattered Rina's friendship with Helena.
In hindsight, Victor realized that he had been blinded by his own complacency and had failed to recognize Rina's feelings for him.
He had assumed that Rina saw him as a protective older brother, much like he regarded her as his younger sister.
Tonight, Victor had plans to spend the evening with Helena.
Initially, he had contemplated staying at the office for the next three days out of guilt for what he had done to Rina.
Their marriage, though legally binding, was far from a conventional union of love...it was a one-sided commitment.
However, when he received a text from Helena inviting him to stay at her place, he quickly packed a bag with a change of clothes, opting to spend the night with her instead.
This had become a routine they had established to keep their relationship discreet.
Victor was well aware that he was leading a double life, but he couldn't summon the courage to confess the truth to Helena about his marriage to Rina.
He also couldn't bear to ask Rina for a divorce, as her grandmother's health was deteriorating, and the news might worsen her condition.
Victor found himself ensnared in a web of his own creation, desperately searching for a way out of the complex entanglement of his relationships.
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As Victor drove toward Helena's destination, his mind was consumed by memories of the night he had spent with Rina.
He felt lost, unsure of how to face Rina today.
His intention was to escape from the guilt and shame that weighed heavily on him, with the hope of returning to her after he had reconciled his feelings within himself.
Every time he encountered Rina in their home, an undeniable desire would surge within him.
His desires betrayed him, making it difficult for him to resist wanting her.
But as soon as his desires subsided, a profound sense of guilt overcame him.
He felt like a wretched man who couldn't muster the courage to apologize to Helena for his actions.
Each time he wronged her, he found himself unable to make amends, all while continuing his secret affair with Helena.
Victor remained caught in a tormenting struggle between his obligations as a husband to Rina and his unwavering love for Helena.
It was as if he were living a double life, torn between two worlds that seemed irreconcilable.
The weight of his deceit pressed down on him, and he knew that at some point, he would have to make a choice that could shatter the lives of those involved.
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Meanwhile.....
Back at the office, Lucas worked diligently to complete the tasks Victor had assigned him.
He couldn't help but feel sorry for his boss's wife, Rina.
She was a kind and gentle woman who deserved better than what she was getting.
Lucas had stumbled upon the truth about Victor's marriage by accident, and it had weighed heavily on his conscience ever since because he'd become once indifferent towards Rina.
As he typed away at his computer, Lucas couldn't shake the feeling that he should do something to help Rina.
He knew he couldn't confront Victor directly.. that would only lead to disaster.
Instead, he considered seeking advice from a trusted colleague or friend.
The office was unusually quiet, with most of the employees having left for the day.
Lucas glanced at the clock...it was almost 8:00 p.m.
He knew he had a long night ahead of him to finish Victor's work.
As he powered through the tasks, his thoughts kept drifting back to Rina, who was likely at home, oblivious to her husband's infidelity.
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Meanwhile, at Helena's apartment, Victor and Helena enjoyed a quiet dinner together.
They talked as usual about their lives and spent the night together.
When the night had deepened, and Helena was still wide awake, her eyes fixed on the man beside her, Victor.
They were both enveloped in blankets, with layers of clothing concealed beneath.
Despite being in a long-term relationship, nothing had ever happened between them. Victor had never touched her.
Helena had long tried to seduce him, but Victor's resistance was unwavering.
He always claimed to respect her, insisting that he would give himself to her fully only after they were married.
While it might sound sweet to others, it held a different meaning for Helena.
As the days passed, it seemed less likely that it would ever happen.
Unbeknownst to Victor, Helena was well aware of his marriage to Rina.
When she first discovered this, she was consumed by rage, tempted to confront Rina directly.
However, upon learning the true reason for their marriage—the inheritance of the Reymundo Corps—she suppressed her anger.
Victor wasn't the only one she desired....
She also wanted a share of the luxurious Reymundo lifestyle.
Of course, she believed that Victor belonged to her and no one else.
She was determined not to let Rina steal him away.
That's why she wished for her and Victor to have a child as soon as possible, before Rina could do the same.
She hoped that it would provide Victor with a compelling reason to divorce Rina.
If that happened, even the family members who opposed her would have no choice but to accept her as the rightful bearer of the Reymundo heir.