I Too Had An Unrequited Love Story

24- After effects of Reception

Veronica felt the world closing in around her as she entered the washroom, the cacophony of the party still ringing in her ears. She needed a moment of solitude, a reprieve from the relentless charade she was trapped in. But the quiet sanctuary of the washroom offered her more than just silence; it offered an escape route. Her gaze landed on the window—an open invitation to freedom. Without a second thought, she hoisted herself through it, the cool night air a stark contrast to the suffocating atmosphere she'd just left behind.

The grass crunched beneath her feet as she ventured a little further from the building, her breaths deepening with each step away from the pretense of the life she was living.

"You look sexy, beautiful," a voice drawled from behind a tree, jolting her from her thoughts.

Startled, she turned to see David emerge from the shadows, his usual smug grin plastered on his face.

"David! What the hell are you doing here?" she demanded, her voice louder than intended.

David raised an eyebrow, his expression amused. "I didn't signal you to come out here so you could scold me and draw attention to us. Keep your voice down unless you want your so-called husband to come running."

She exhaled sharply, reigning in her emotions. "Why are you here, David?" This time, her tone was calmer, though the tension was palpable.

"V, your family—" David began, but Veronica cut him off, lifting her hands in a gesture of exasperation.

"Don't start, David," she warned, her voice tinged with weariness.

"You know everyone is aware of everything, right? It's not necessary to go to these lengths, V. You don't have to cross all these boundaries," David pressed, his tone a mixture of frustration and concern.

Veronica's breath hitched, tears welling up in her eyes. "David, they know everything?" Her voice trembled as the weight of his words sank in.

David nodded solemnly. "You have to come back, V. It's not safe for you out here."

But Veronica shook her head, resolute despite the fear gnawing at her insides. "I need to find out the truth, David. I need to know what happened to her. I can't just live like this—blind to the reality."

David's frustration boiled over. "Beautiful, you can't do this to find the truth. For God's sake, V, you got married to someone! And now, everyone knows. Was this your plan all along? If something happens to you, your family will be devastated."

Veronica remained silent, her mind racing with the implications of his words.

"V, you've walked into the lion's den. Just leave all this behind and come back. Now even Natalie is involved," David implored, his voice thick with desperation.

"Natalie has to be involved, David," Veronica retorted, her tone fierce. "She's the only link to the truth. She's my only chance."

David's eyes widened in disbelief. "Who are you, V? What's happened to you? You've involved a child in this madness—using her as bait. Are you out of your mind?"

"Yes, David!" Veronica snapped, her voice laced with self-loathing. "I'm a horrible person. I'm using Natalie, but I have no choice. I need to find the truth, and I'll do whatever it takes. I promised her, David. I promised to keep her safe and give her a better life. And to do that, I have to punish every single person involved in that accident. I'll kill the person responsible if I have to."

David's face softened, his anger giving way to concern. "V, we're all angry. It's not just you."

"But none of you are doing anything about it!" Veronica shouted, her frustration bubbling over. "You're not doing anything, David! Neither is my family. Despite all the power and resources we have, they're useless—completely useless."