Chapter 1: Anniversary of betrayal

Emily~

“You both should take it easy,” my mother-in-law teased with a knowing smile, her eyes twinkling.

I smiled shyly, fingers fidgeting with the hem of my satin skirt. My cheeks burned. It was our wedding night, and I was floating on air.

“What do you expect from newlyweds?” my father-in-law added with a chuckle. “They can’t keep their hands off each other.”

Ethan tightened his hand around mine, his thumb grazing my knuckles—a gesture I’d come to recognize as his silent reassurance. “Mother, it’s our first night. Maybe you and Dad should give us some space?”

They laughed and left the room, closing the door behind them.

Then… silence.

The soft kind, filled with everything we couldn’t say out loud.

Ethan turned to me, smiling, but there was something flickering behind his eyes—something I couldn't name. “You still blush like that,” he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “Even after all these while”

“We only dated for a year before our families rushed us into marriage,” I reminded him with a soft laugh. “But yes… only for you.”

He pulled me close, our foreheads touching like we were grounding each other. “I’ll love you forever,” he whispered. “Even if the world changes, I’ll find my way back to you.”

His kiss was slow, deep—aching.

I went to the bathroom to freshen up. My reflection glowed, flushed with happiness. I slipped into a soft white dress and returned to find Ethan already fast asleep across the bed, a peaceful smile tugging at his lips.

“You’re the best thing that ever happened to me,” he’d whispered before drifting off.

I smiled. Five years, I can't believe five years drifted by so quickly.

That night gave me Lucian—our miracle.

And now, five years later, it is the morning of our anniversary

Ethan had left early, like he always did. He loved hosting an annual celebration at the company to honor the people behind his empire—our empire. A tradition built on love.

His driver would come back for Lucian and me.

Just then, my phone buzzed.

Melisa. My best friend since university. She's my sister in everything but blood.

“Hi, lover girl!” Her voice beamed through the phone. “I can smell your happiness from here.”

“Don’t blame me,” I giggled. “You don’t get to judge a woman married to the love of her life.”

“What time’s the ceremony?”

“You already know. A little after noon.”

“Oh, right. Don’t worry about picking me up—I have something to run to. I’ll meet you guys at the company.”

“Love you.”

“Love you more.”

After the call, I tried ringing my mother-in-law. No answer.

Odd. I always picked her up with Melisa on our anniversary.

Shrugging, I got Lucian dressed in his little navy-blue suit. He looked like a tiny version of Ethan—same curls, same mischief in his eyes.

“You look just like your dad,” I whispered, kissing his cheek.

When the driver arrived, we got into the car.

I stared out the window, smiling faintly. Five years. And Ethan still looked at me like I was his whole world.

A message pinged on my phone [“Sorry, something came up. I’ll be late.”]—from my mother-in-law.

Strange. No explanation. But maybe it was just something last-minute. I told the driver to take us straight to the company.

When we arrived, I felt it instantly—something was off.

People smiled... but the kind of smile you wear when you're holding a secret. Tight-lipped. Unsettled.

I walked the familiar hallway toward Ethan’s office. The silence was unnerving.

His office door was slightly ajar.

I didn’t knock. I never had to.

I pushed it open—and stopped cold.

A woman sat in Ethan’s chair. Legs crossed. Back straight. Like she owned the room.

“You must be Emily,” she said, smooth as silk.

“Why are you in my husband’s office?”

She smiled, casually, cruelly. “Because your husband put me here.”

Before I could even process her words, the door to Ethan’s private bathroom creaked open.

And Ethan stepped out.

Shirtless. Hair damp. A towel slung around his neck.

He froze when he saw me. His face was drained of color. Then went completely blank.

The air vanished from my lungs. My heart fractured, right there in my chest.

Everything—everything—cracked.