CHAPTER 02: SLEEPLESS NIGHT

The Kingsley mansion was silent after midnight.

Outside, the rain had stopped, leaving droplets clinging to the tall windows. Moonlight filtered through the clouds, casting pale shadows across the empty dining room.

The anniversary dinner remained untouched, the candles melted into pools of wax, and the white roses had begun to lose their freshness.

Sophia stood in the middle of the dinning room, her gaze fixed on the wedding ring resting beside Damian's untouched plate.

She didn't cry.

Not anymore.

Instead, she drew in a slow breath and picked up the dishes one by one.

The soft clatter of porcelain echoed through the quiet mansion.

From the doorway, Maria, the housekeeper, watched her with concern.

"Mrs. Kingsley," she called her gently, taking a hesitant step forward." Please leave it to me, I'll clean."

But Sophia forced a faint smile without looking up. "It's all right, Maria," she replied softly and timidly. "I need something to keep my mind busy."

Maria sighed, her eyes filled with sympathy.

"You've been waiting for him since this afternoon."

Sophia paused for a brief moment before placing another plate into the sink when she entered the kitchen and Maria just followed her with a sympathetic gaze.

"I know." She chuckled bitterly.

"He didn't even call?" Maria asked.

Sophia lowered her head. "I called," she corrected. "And he answered, but it was just quick talk... just long enough to tell me not to wait."

Maria's heart ached for the young woman she had watched love her husband with unwavering devotion.

"You deserve better than this," she murmured.

Sophia smiled sadly. "I married him because I loved him."

Her voice grew softer. "I just didn't realize love couldn't survive on hope alone."

Maria walked over and gently squeezed her shoulder. "Get some rest, dear."

Sophia nodded. "I will."

After Maria disappeared and went upstairs to rest leaving her alone, the mansion fell silent once more.

Sophia washed the last plate before carefully placing the untouched anniversary cake inside the refrigerator.

Throwing it away felt too cruel.

Perhaps because doing so would mean accepting that tonight had truly happened.

...

Across the city, the lights inside the Imperial Crown Hotel were finally beginning to dim.

Damian stepped out of the conference room after signing the final contract.

His assistant, Ethan Cole, handed him a folder with a relieved smile.

"Congratulations, sir," Ethan said respectfully. "The investors accepted every condition."

Damian nodded, though his expression remained unreadable.

"Good," he said plainly.

Ethan hesitated before speaking again.

"Should I have the driver take you home?"

Damian slipped his phone from his pocket.

The screen lit up.

Twelve missed calls.

All from Sophia.

A strange weight settled in his chest.

He remembered her gentle smile that morning before be left the house for work.

"Will you be home tonight?" she asked hopefully.

"I'll try," he answered without thinking.

He rubbed his temple. "I forgot," he murmured remembering what today's occasion is, and his wife expecting him to come home early.

Ethan blinked in surprise. "Sir?"

Damian shook his head. "It's nothing."

But deep down, he knew it wasn't nothing.

Without another word, he continued to walk toward the hotel entrance to attend the Charity Gala over his wife who's expecting him to come home to celebrate their third wedding anniversary.

The event is finally decided.

He can't back out.

...

Back at the mansion, Sophia stood alone in the spacious bedroom.

The sapphire-blue dress she had chosen that morning now felt uncomfortable, as though it belonged to someone else.

She slowly unzipped it and changed into a simple white nightgown.

Standing before the mirror, she barely recognized the woman staring back.

Dark circles shadowed her eyes.

Her hopeful smile was gone.

"When did I become like this?" she whispered.

She opened the bedside drawer and pulled out an old photo album.

Every page held memories of happier days.

Their wedding.

Their honeymoon.

Their first New Year's celebration.

In every photograph, she leaned toward Damian with a bright smile.

He remained composed, his expression almost impossible to read.

Sophia traced a finger across one picture.

"I kept waiting for you to love me," she whispered, her voice trembling.

A single tear landed on her cheek. She quickly wiped it away. "No more," she told herself, closing the album with quiet determination.

Outside, the first hint of dawn painted the sky.

Sophia walked onto the balcony, wrapping her arms around herself as the cool morning breeze brushed against her face.

For three years, she had waited for Damian to make their marriage a priority.

For three years, she had convinced herself that tomorrow would be different.

But tomorrow has become another empty promise.

Behind her, the bedroom door clicked open.

Sophia turned, her heart skipping.

Footsteps echoed in the hallway.

Has Damian finally come home?

She waited in complete silence.

The footsteps drew closer...

Then stopped outside the bedroom door.