Chapter 0001: Shattered Perfection

Emma POV

Everything was perfect. Everything around me was perfect.

The morning started like any other, with the soft hum of the dishwasher in the background and the faint scent of coffee lingering in the air. Our home was a sanctuary, a place where laughter and love intertwined seamlessly with our marriage being perfect, a fairy tale that had come to life.

It was a laundry day and I had to wash before going to work. I was sorting clothes into piles when my phone vibrated—it was my friend Mia.

"Emma, how’s the prep going for your husband's birthday party?" she asked just as I reached for Noah's jacket, the last item in the pile.

Balancing the phone against my cheek with my shoulder, I reached into Noah's jacket pockets—a habit I had formed over the years to make sure nothing important got washed.

"Noah decided against a banner, so we’ll skip that. But we’re having flowers and some drinks," I replied, my fingers brushing against something cold and smooth in the pocket—a foreign object that didn’t belong. Frowning, I pulled it out slowly, not ready for what I might see.

“Who did you invite?" Mia asked, her tone impatient for a quick answer.

But my heart had already dropped. I pulled out, staring at the crimson lipstick in shock. This wasn’t my shade. In fact, I didn’t wear lipstick often, preferring a natural look. My mind raced with questions, a pang of betrayal seeping into my thoughts.

"Mia, I… I’ll call you back," I murmured, my voice cracking slightly as I hung up before she could respond.

For a moment, I stood there, rooted in place, feeling a flood of emotions—confusion, anger, and a creeping dread. Who did this lipstick belong to? Why was it in Noah's jacket? I felt the weight of doubt settle in as memories from recent weeks flashed through my mind: the late nights, sudden business trips, distracted looks.

Taking a deep breath, I left the laundry room, clutching the lipstick. I walked to the living room, my heart pounding as my eyes landed on him.

His eyes lifted to meet mine after his gaze landed on the lipstick, but calm and unreadable, as if the weight of my unspoken words had touched him. But there was a flicker—maybe of hesitation, maybe nothing at all—as he shrugged lightly and said, “I… I bought it because it gets really dry in the cabin.”

I looked at it, running it lightly on my hand to test the color. "Cherry-flavored?" I asked, my voice a mix of hurt and disbelief.

He shrugged, his tone distant and cold. “I just grabbed whatever was there. Are you questioning me for using one now? Or what are you trying to dig out?”

The coldness in his voice hit me like a slap, sharp and unexpected. It sent a wave of tension rolling through my body, my chest tightening as I struggled to find a response. My mind raced, grasping for words, but nothing came.

“I’ll be upstairs,” I finally managed, forcing a calm I didn’t feel. My voice sounded steadier than I expected, but inside, I was unraveling. Without waiting for a reply, I turned and headed for the bathroom, closing the door behind me.

Standing there, I gripped the edge of the sink, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My thoughts swirled as I tried to make sense of what had just happened, the coldness in his words replaying over and over in my head. I needed space and time to breathe and figure out how to respond without letting the hurt consume me.

After washing off the lipstick mark, I took a long shower, letting the water calm me. By the time I emerged, dressed and ready for work, I heard William talking to Noah in the living room.

"Dad, Mom wants me to get a math tutor. Can you talk her out of it?" William’s small voice drifted through the doorway.

I joined the conversation, feeling a momentary reprieve from the lipstick mystery. "You need to master math before middle school," I interjected, descending the stairs, dressed in my black suit with a handbag slung over my arm.

"If you don't, you'll fall behind," I added, setting my handbag on the dining table where William sat, then heading to the fridge.

Noah chuckled from nearby, teasing, "You’ll fall behind, she says."

"Dad?"

The room fell silent for a moment before Noah broke it again. "I suppose you're right. People still value educational background most."

"My goodness," William muttered with a smirk.

Laughing, I kissed his forehead and advised, "Don’t bother asking your dad for help," pressing a kiss to his cheek.

"Sorry, William," Noah teased, raising his eyebrows and causing him to laugh.

Soon, it was time for me to leave. "I'll see you both later," I said, reaching for my bag.

"Hey," Noah called, stopping me. I turned to see him holding out his arms. Smiling, I moved in for a hug, feeling his warmth.

As he hugged me, I glanced at a frame I’d hung on the wall the day before. "Do I look too old?" I murmured, half-joking.

Glancing at the frame, a smile tugged at his lips before he replied, "No, they photoshopped you nicely," his voice was sincere and tender.

Hearing this, I rested my head against his chest. "I suppose you're right," I admitted, gazing at the frame.

"You grow more beautiful as you age," he murmured softly and steadily.

"My goodness, you're unbelievable," I laughed, stepping away from his embrace with a smile full of amusement.

"Wait," he called out as I moved to leave, darting over to the couch to grab his scarf. Smiling warmly, he wrapped it around my neck. His touch was lovely and gentle. "It's going to rain tonight, and it might get chilly," he joked, his voice filled with affection.

"What about you?" I asked, smiling.

"It's okay if I get sick, but I can't let my wife catch a cold," he replied, his gaze locked on mine, eliciting another burst of laughter from me.

He pulled me closer by the waist, his eyes fixed on mine as he leaned in to kiss me lightly, the sound of which made William groan from the dining table, covering his mouth in mock disgust.

His gentle affection stirred my heart, even as the lipstick weighed on my mind. With a quick kiss, I headed out, feeling a strange mix of love and unease.

The drive to the hospital felt longer than usual, my thoughts preoccupied with both the birthday party and the lipstick mystery. As I pulled into the parking garage, I noticed a police car parked at the entrance. My heart skipped a beat, dread settling in again. Why were the police here?