1: Something is wrong with my husband

Blue ♡

Something has changed. Not me. Not a single thing in the house but the one that made it feel like home.

My husband.

Last month, he was planning a vacation to spend quality time with family but now, he barely pays any attention.

I have been shrugging it off for a while now, thinking he has stress from work.

Tonight, as I stand in a corner in the grand Hall of Bloodrose club, sipping wine alone while my husband strolls around, chit-chatting from one person to another.

All wealthy businessmen, some models for aesthetic purposes and some influencers.

Not once does he look my way to see what I am doing, whether I am enjoying myself or drowning in misery.

I inhale a deep breath, flicking my gaze down at my wedding ring sitting perfectly around my finger. Tonight marks our eleven years together. Seven years of relationship, five years of marriage.

My expectation of a dinner with him to celebrate the success of our happy marriage dims down once realisation starts to settle down. He forgot our anniversary for the first time.

“Asher, hey! Look at you, life of a party as always”

My head jerks up at the familiar, overly sugary voice of the woman I've grown to dislike.

Blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, sharp nose, thin lips covered with lipstick to make them appear bigger, and a figure maintained like that of a model.

Ariel Viscot, wife of my husband's business partner. Ever since she met Asher at a dinner, she had become more and more interested in business talk and events when she used to ignore it all, despite her husband's request for at least one event together.

One would think she is finally taking an interest in her husband's work.

But I am not a fool.

She is interested in Asher. It is painfully obvious. Maybe because I'm a woman with high instincts. She screams trouble in all ways.

I watch quietly as she engulfs him in a rather tight hug, pressing her blossoms in his chest, snaking her hand down his back.

I clench my fist. Asher would rather keep a peaceful environment than push her away. His reputation has always been a top priority.

“It's so nice to see you. Did I tell you already that this hairstyle suits you a lot? Makes you look like a real hunk-

She goes on and on about his looks. Her hand stays still on his forearm and when she reaches for his hair, Asher flinches lightly, his brows ceasing together as he instinctively takes a step back. I move fast, walking past the chatting group of people.

The noise from my heel catches Ariel's attention. I pin her with a glare as I stand next to Asher and lock our arms together.

“Hello, Mrs. Viscot. It's a surprise to see you here,” I plaster a polite smile. She skims her eyes over me, forcing a smile back.

“Where's Mr. Viscot? Did you lock him in the car?” I joke, laughing as I reach for her arm to slap it away before she can try to touch Asher again.

“Haha, you should check on him. Maybe I set him on fire,” She says, eyes flicking to Asher for a split second before she laughs. A sound so sinister, it sends an unpleasant twist in my stomach.

“It's nice to see you, colour girl,” She says before walking away, over to other people. The same overused comment about my name.

I look up to Asher, his eyes are following Ariel and it stings my heart but I shrug it off. He must be making sure she is far enough away.

“Are you okay?” I ask softly. He looks down at me, a long brief stare.

“Asher, is everything okay?” I repeat and he nods curtly.

Asher often keeps his bangs down to keep his scar from craniotomy hidden. Although it's not very visible unless you look closely, he is really sensitive.

I might be the only person to be able to touch his hair after the doctors.

“Did you talk to Mary?” He asks, tapping my arm away from his. I try not to let the small gesture hurt my feelings.

“Yeah, I did. She got him to bed on time,” I answer about our two-year-old son, Alex.

Asher nods before subtly walking away, over to the other men. I sigh, staring at his retreating back and boringly gulp down the wine. I grab another glass, turn my heels and slip out of the Hall, out in the corridor until I come across the open balcony.

A soft breeze wafts across my face as I approach the railing, inhaling fresh air to refresh my senses.

Maybe this is how it becomes after the success of a long relationship. Life becomes like a chore, no more deep romantic talk, no more silly moves or dates, no more skip of heartbeat at their mere presence.

I sip my wine, mind flashing back to that one time Asher took me here against this very railing under the rain. My cheeks warm at the vivid memory.

A soft hum cuts through the peaceful air, alarming my senses. I turn around to scan the surroundings, my mind suggesting that someone else is there. Suspicion rises in my chest and I carefully walk towards the door to leave.

The moment I step out, a silhouette flashes to my left before everything turns black. The glass slips from my grasp, shattering with a sharp noise while a shriek almost escapes my lips but it's instantly covered by a strong force against my mouth.

..

My eyes flutter open but the darkness remains. Unable to move or see, panic courses through my entire nervous system realizing I'm bound to a chair, from arms to legs.

The sound of rough footsteps makes invisible spiders crawl up my neck. The more it gets loud and close, my pulse spikes up.

Smoke fills up my nostrils, cringing my insides in disgust, making me cough out instinctively.

A hand rests on my shoulder. I flinch, trying to move away from the unwanted touch.

“Darling, how long are you going to make me wait?”

My ears perk up at the familiar voice coming from probably a phone.

Ariel Viscot.

“I need time”

My heart thuds at another familiar voice.

Asher.

“I'm starting to get impatient. Just divorce her already. I can't stand her anymore” Ariel says, whining.

“I will. Just give me some more time,” Asher replies. Shock consumes my entire being. My heart cracks. It's like someone has splashed a bucket of cold water on me.

It can't be true. My Asher can never…

“That bi*ch just can't get a hint, huh? How dumb can she get? Anyway, I'll wait for as long as you promise to be mine,” She says.

“I will divorce her and marry you soon,” Asher assures.

My lips tremble to say something but nothing comes up. The ache in my heart makes it impossible to breathe.

I don't know for how long I stay bound on the chair, but the way my muscles ache tells me it's probably longer than I can count.

When the rope around me loosens, my ears follow the footsteps fading away. My fingers work fast to free myself. I remove the blindfold, taking in the sight of a dark, rusty warehouse.

My knees buckle at my attempt to stand up. I still do and rush for the exit.

Outside, the blinding light from the sun hits my face. There's not a single vehicle outside. Whoever my kidnapper was had already gone.