Chapter six: The Voice On The Line

Mira’s POV}

The phone kept ringing. Sarah. Her name kept reflecting on my screen like a warning. I couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe.I was wondering why she was calling me. For some reason, the fear on David’s face terrified me more than the call itself.

"Mira. ” he said quietly.

I looked at him. His expression was some how to me. Almost panicked. “

Don’t answer it.”

My heart skipped. “What?” His jaw tightened.

"I said don’t answer it.”

The words hit me like a slap. My eyes narrowed. Why don't you want me to answer it? David took a step forward.

"Because she’s trying to manipulate you.”

I stared at him. Then at the phone. Still ringing. Still waiting. Sarah was calling me. Not him. Me. And David was desperate for me not to answer. That alone made my decision. I pressed accept.

"Hello?” For a second, there was only silence. Then breathing. Fast. Uneven. Terrified.

"Mira?”

Sarah’s voice sounded broken. Like she had been crying for hours.

"Sarah?”

"Mira, listen to me. Please don’t hang up.”I frowned. “What’s going on?” A shaky sob escaped her. Then she whispered:

"You have to leave David.”

The room froze. I looked up. David had gone completely still. Every color drained from his face. “What are you talking about?” I asked.

"Mira, he lied to you.”

I laughed bitterly. “I already know that.”

"No.”

Her voice cracked. “You don’t know everything.”My stomach twisted. David moved toward me. I immediately stepped away. Sarah continued speaking.

“The man you married is dangerous.”

“What?”

“He isn’t who you think he is.”My pulse hammered. David ran a hand through his hair.

“Sarah, stop.”

I put the phone on speaker. Both of them froze. Sarah inhaled sharply.

“Mira

Tell me.”The words came out harder than I intended. “Tell me everything.”For several seconds, Sarah remained silent. Then she said:

“David has been using you from the beginning.”

“I looked directly at my husband. He looked away. That hurt more than any answer. “He approached me first,” Sarah continued. “He wanted information about you.”

“What?”

“He asked about your family.” The room suddenly felt too small.Too hot. Too suffocating. “He asked about the Anderson fortune.”I felt sick.On my honeymoon day and this kind of thing is happening.

David shook his head. “That’s not true.”

“It is true!” Sarah shouted.

You know it is.”The argument exploded instantly.David grabbed the phone from my hand. “Enough!” Sarah what do you want from me? Please answer me, you're after this my marriage.

“No,” Sarah screamed. “You’ve lied enough.David ended the call.Silence crashed over the room. I stared at him. Slowly. Coldly “You asked about my family’s money?”

“Mira.

Answer me.”

“It wasn't like that.”My laugh sounded hollow. “That’s becoming your favorite sentence.”David’s frustration finally cracked. “Because you won’t listen!” My eyes widened.

“Listen?”His voice rose. Everything Sarah says, you believe immediately.”

“Because every lie she told turns out to be true! The words hit him hard. For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then he whispered:”I loved you.”Loved. Past tense.I noticed it immediately.So did he.His eyes widened.Mine filled with tears.The damage was done.

Loved.Not love.Something inside me shattered.I removed my wedding ring. David froze.

“Mira

Slowly, I placed it on the table. His breathing stopped.The sight of that ring sitting there between us felt like a funeral. For our marriage. For our future. For every promise we had made. “I don’t know who you are anymore.”The pain in his eyes was real. For the first time all night, I believed that part wasn’t fake.

But it didn’t matter. Not anymore. Suddenly my phone buzzed.A message. Unknown number. I frowned. Then opened it my blood turned to ice. Attached was a photograph. A photograph of David.And Sarah. Together. Very close together. Far too close.

The date stamp sat at the bottom. Three weeks ago. Three weeks before our wedding. My hands started shaking. “What is this?” David looked at the screen. His face turned white.

“Mira.

“What is this?!”

“It’s not what it looks like.”

I nearly laughed. Again. Always the same answer. Always.The same. Answer. Then another message arrived. This time there was no photograph. Only words. Simple. Terrifying.If you want the truth about David, come alone. Room 1914. Midnight. Do not trust your husband. My heartbeat thundered.

David saw the message.And completely lost control.“No.”The word exploded from him.His reaction terrified me.More than the message.More than Sarah. More than the lies.Because for the first time since I met him. David looked afraid of what I might discover. Very afraid. I slowly raised my eyes to his.

“What is in Room 1914?” Silence.Dead silence.

“So, you planned all of this, David? What is really going on?” My honeymoon had become something I would never forget for the rest of my life, and not in a good way. Unable to hold myself together, I dropped to my knees and began to beg. “David, please. I think this honeymoon is over. Let’s go back to our country Please, take me home.”

“Mira, this is all a blackmail scheme from your cousin, Sarah,” David said quickly. “She just wants to break us apart because she’s in love with me. Do you really want her to win? Your cousin has been after me ever since I became part of your family.”

I stared at him in disbelief.

“If you’re telling the truth, David, then why didn’t you tell me earlier? Why did you keep it a secret? And why did Sarah keep it a secret too? I don’t trust either of you. I want to go home. I want to see my family and clear my head. I’ve heard enough.”

“Mira.

Silence.

“Please, talk to me. Let’s settle this right now and enjoy our honeymoon. These people are only after your husband. They want to take your place in my life, and you’re letting them succeed. Please, calm down.”

I was furious listening to David’s excuses. Every word that came out of his mouth sounded like another lie. A born liar, that was what he was. I couldn’t take it anymore. Without saying another word, I picked up my phone and called to book a flight back home.

Then my heart nearly stopped. A voice came from the hallway. A woman’s voice. Soft.Familiar.

“Mira.”

I froze. David froze. Because we both recognized that voice instantly. Sarah. The same Sarah who had called me on the phone. How was that possible? Had she come all the way to Dubai? Was she the one who had asked me to meet her in Room 1914?