"Sorry... The number you dialed
is not connected at the moment. Please try again later."
The cold, automated voice echoed in
Emily's ears, repeating over and over until her hand trembled, and her heart sank
like a stone in water.
Why wasn't Ethan answering his phone?
Her mind raced as her eyes flitted back to the damning photos on her phone
screen. Could it be true? Had her husband really betrayed her?
Half an hour ago, Emily had returned
from a grueling business trip in Paris. Exhausted but eager to see her husband,
she hadn’t expected what came next. The moment she landed, a text from an
unknown number popped up on her phone. Inside was a photo—grainy, but
unmistakable. Ethan was there, arm wrapped around an unfamiliar woman, leading
her into a luxury hotel room.
Panic had seized Emily instantly.
Following the address in the text, she found herself at The Windsor Hotel,
standing before room 1688.
Her breath caught as she noticed the
door was ajar. Anxiety warred with hope as she hesitated before giving it a
gentle push.
The next moment happened so fast she
couldn’t react. A powerful force shoved her inside. The door slammed shut,
leaving her in complete darkness. Before she could regain her footing, a firm
hand pinned her against the door. A familiar scent enveloped her, one she
recognized even in her panic.
"Ethan?" she whispered
tentatively, her voice shaky.
He didn’t answer. Instead, his lips
crashed into hers with an intensity she hadn’t expected. His kiss was fierce,
his movements commanding and relentless.
It was overwhelming. Her initial fear
melted into relief and a twinge of guilt. Had she doubted him for nothing? Had Ethan
orchestrated all this as some kind of elaborate romantic gesture? It would
explain the mystery of the message and the unexpected surprise.
Her body relaxed, and she gave in to
his touch.
When Emily woke the next morning,
sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the hotel suite. She stretched
languidly, a contented smile gracing her lips.
The events of the night played in her mind—so
intense, so unexpected, so... perfect. A blush crept up her cheeks as she
glanced down at her body, her skin marked with the evidence of their night
together. A soft smile touched her lips, but her body ached slightly, a sweet
reminder of the love they’d shared. It had been a year since their marriage,
and this was the first time they had consummated their relationship.
But when she turned to the other side
of the bed, she froze.
The spot beside her was empty.
The man who had held her so fiercely
the night before was gone.
On the pillow, however, lay a delicate
silver pendant. It sparkled in the light, and Emily instantly recognized it—a
limited edition piece from the exclusive Armand Collection. She picked it up,
her lips curving into a soft smile. At least Ethan had thought to leave her a
token.
Sliding the necklace around her neck,
Emily was startled by a sudden loud noise.
The door burst open with a bang, and
before she could comprehend what was happening, a group of reporters poured
into the room, cameras flashing like lightning.
“Emily Wright! Who is the man you
spent the night with?”
“Does your husband, Ethan, know about
your affair?”
“Are you and Ethan already divorced?
Is this your new lover?”
The barrage of questions hit her like
a tidal wave. Disoriented and panicking, Emily pulled the blanket tighter
around her body.
“You’re wrong! I didn’t— I was with my
husband!” she stammered, her voice breaking as she tried to defend herself.
“Get out! All of you, get out!”
The chaos was interrupted by a deep,
thunderous voice.
“Emily!”
Emily’s head whipped toward the door.
There he was—Ethan, her husband, standing at the entrance. His usually calm and
collected face was twisted in rage, his eyes stormy and unrecognizable.
“Ethan! Thank God you’re here!” Emily
scrambled off the bed, clutching the blanket around her as she rushed toward
him. “Please, explain to them! Tell them it was you last night. They’re saying
all these horrible things, but it was you, right? This was all your surprise,
wasn’t it?”
But instead of the reassurance she
expected, Ethan’s hand shot out.
The slap landed hard against her
cheek, sending her reeling back onto the bed.
Emily’s vision blurred with shock as
she stared at him in disbelief.
“You cheated on me!” Ethan roared, his
voice laced with fury. “You dare stand here and lie to my face?”
“No... Ethan, no, it wasn’t like
that!” Emily protested, tears streaming down her face.
“Then what’s this?” He hurled a stack
of photos onto the bed. The images spilled out like accusations, each one
sharper than the last.
Emily’s hands trembled as she picked
them up.
Her world shattered.
