Novels by Viral Ink

The kitchen was warm with morning light, but it felt like a trap.The soft golden rays touched everything—the marble counter, the ceramic plates, the photo of Jayden in his Halloween costume—but none of it felt safe. My hands moved like they belonged to someone else, flipping pancakes, slicing strawberries, pouring juice in his dinosaur cup.All the things a good mother did.All the things a perfect wife should.I heard Jonathan's footsteps before I saw him.His cologne reached me first, that expensive mix of leather and pine I used to crave. Now it made my stomach twist.He came up behind me, arms wrapping around my waist like we were still that couple. Why was he still doing this? His lips brushed my cheek.“Good morning, beautiful.”I smiled. Trained. “Morning.”He leaned against the counter like he belonged there, gaze resting on me with too much ease. Watching. Always watching.“Have you seen my silver watch? The one with the blue face. I could’ve sworn I left it on the dresser.”

The cold air clung to my coat like frostbite I couldn’t shake off. I stepped into the house and closed the door behind me, the latch clicking into place louder than I expected. My chest felt tight, the weight of everything Alpha Conan and I had just uncovered pressing into my ribs like iron. But then—laughter.Light and high-pitched.Jayden.His laughter was the only thing that ever truly softened the noise in my head. I looked toward the living room. He was curled up on the couch, tiny knees pulled to his chest, hands gripping two of his toy trucks. His soft curls bounced as he zoomed one truck along the armrest, a sound effect on his lips. He looked so… untouched. So unaware.But my gaze moved past him—and landed on Jonathan.He sat like a king in a throne he didn’t deserve. Legs crossed, one arm casually draped across the back of the couch, head tilted slightly like he was posing for a photo he didn’t know was being taken. His smile was smooth, practiced, polished.“Hey, sweetheart

Just then, a message blinked onto the screen. I picked up my screen and jumped slightly when I saw the message.Alpha Conan: Something came up. I need you at the cabin. Bring the ring.No greeting, no smiley face. It was expected, but it reminded me of his nature. Just like him.I typed back: When?Alpha Conan: Now. Come alone.I glanced back at the clock.8:42 a.m.I looked around the house, brushed my hair hurriedly, and dusted my shoes. Then I grabbed my bag, locked the house, and left before I could think twice.Because if I stayed, I was going to shatter.And if I shattered, no one would be able to pick up the pieces but me.The drive out to the old forest trail was long, dark, and silent. My hands gripped the steering wheel tighter than necessary, and I wasn’t sure if it was the

I returned from work with my body aching and my mind spinning. Alpha Conan’s visit had left me raw and exposed. His words still echoed in my chest like a quiet storm. *I never loved her.*For a moment, I had seen something behind his eyes. A flicker of understanding. Not pity, no. Something colder. Something sharper. Maybe disappointment.The house was quiet when I stepped in. Jonathan had left a note on the kitchen counter. "Put Jayden to bed. Made his favorite pasta. See you in the morning."He was sleeping in the guest room again or pretending to.Jayden was already curled up on the couch, a blanket half-tucked under his chin. I bent down and kissed his forehead. He stirred slightly, murmuring something I couldn't catch.I sat on the floor beside him and watched the TV screen flicker with colors. Some cartoon about animals learning to share. I didn’t pay much atten

I stepped into my office, barely able to catch my breath. My heels clicked against the tiled floor, each step echoing the unease that had lodged itself in my chest since last night. The silence of the office felt heavier than usual. There were no colleagues around—just the hum of the air conditioner and the smell of paper and stress.Dropping my bag onto the desk, I sank into my chair. My fingers automatically reached for the stack of pending files, but my thoughts weren’t with the documents. They were back at home. With Jayden’s confused eyes. With Jonathan’s fake smile. With Luna Samira’s name on that damned emergency contact form.I rubbed my temples, trying to push the chaos away. If I just worked hard enough, maybe I could numb it all again. Drown out the lies, the manipulation, the panic clawing at my insides. Maybe if I worked hard enough, I could stop feeling so small in my own life.I had barely flipped through two pages when a knock, firm and deliberate, rattled the door. My

Jonathan stiffens, then raises a brow. "No, I didn't hear anything."I take a step back, turning to keep cleaning the dishes. "The principal called me today and said someone tried to pick up our son from school in the middle of class." I let the venom drip into my voice this time.He barely looks at me, walking over to the fridge and pulling out a bottle of water. He drinks like he was thirsty from a jog, not from dragging our son out of school mid-day.He looks at me over the rim of the bottle, suspicion. "That is weird. But you solved it right?" I hate the nonchalance in his voice. It's like he knows what I'm talking about, but chooses to downplay it so that he doesn't talk about it.Coward."Why is Luna Samira listed as Jayden's emergency contact at school?" I blurt out, unable to keep it in anymore.His brow lifts. He turns around and leans on the counter, the bottle half full in his hand. "Seriously? You're upset about that?"I didn’t drop my perfect smile. I tilted my head, not