1 - Where Have You Been?

It was the third year anniversary of The JS Construction Company and a lot of elite guests have shown up to celebrate the anniversary with the reputable CEO, Julian, who had founded the company and built it up from the scratch.

Sydney, Julian’s wife, sat with one of the shareholders of the company, Ashley, watching her husband with a proud smile as he gave a speech at the podium.

“… I’m so grateful to everyone who came to celebrate with us tonight. Three years ago, this company was just something I had envisioned, but thanks to Ashley, the company has become what it is today,” Julian said, looking warmly at Ashley with a bright smile. “Please give her a round of applause.”

Sydney’s smile dimmed. She didn’t like how Julian was giving Ashley all the credit for his success. She tightened her hand around her glass of wine as she thought, if only he knew she was the one who had invested in his company three years ago.

The whole audience rose to their feet and clapped. Ashley covered her face with her hands, smiling shyly. “Please don’t applaud me,” she said, looking at Julian. “You made this company what it is today, not me.”

Julian laughed at Ashley’s statement before continuing his speech. Sydney shifted in her seat, a frown etched on her face. It wasn’t like she thought Julian and Ashley were having an affair, but something about how he smiled at Ashley made her feel irritated. She was his wife, the one who had put so much effort into his business. Even if he wasn't aware of her contribution, it still didn’t justify him praising Ashley and doting on her before everyone. It made Sydney feel unnoticed and neglected. She clenched her glass of wine and gulped down the wine before slamming the empty glass on the table. The clang of the glass caught Ashley’s attention. She looked at Sydney with concern.

“What happened, Sydney?” Ashley asked, looking at her empty glass. “Would you like another glass?”

Sydney didn’t respond, but Ashley called a waitress who was serving drinks. The waitress came to their table, took a glass of wine from her tray, and placed it in front of Sydney. She then picked up the empty glass and left.

Still feeling irritated, Sydney picked up the new glass of wine and gulped it down.

Ashley laughed. “Oh my gosh, you must be really thirsty.”

“My throat is just dry,” Sydney replied with a stern face.

Ashley nodded and looked back at Julian who was now talking about how much Ashley meant to him and the company. Ashley smiled at him, feeling touched.

Across the table, Sydney rolled her eyes and reached for her glass. It was empty; she’d downed it all in one go. As she turned to wave down a waitress, a sharp pain suddenly stabbed through her lower abdomen. She let out a low groan and clutched her side. Sydney’s brows furrowed as the pain surged through her, sharp and relentless, like a cluster of knives twisting in her gut. She drew in a shaky breath, trying to push it down, but it refused to be ignored. She rose stiffly from her seat and made her way toward the exit of the event hall. Once outside, she found a quiet corner, braced herself against the wall, and fumbled through her purse. Her fingers finally closed around her phone. She pulled it out and dialed her chauffeur.

In no time, her chauffeur arrived and helped her to the car. Once inside the car, she bit her fingers, her whole body tensed as she tried to withhold the pain she was feeling.

Meanwhile, back inside the hall, Julian wrapped up his speech and returned to his seat. He paused, noticing the empty chair beside him. Sydney was gone.

His brows knit in concern as he turned to Ashley.

“Where’s Sydney?”

Ashley looked at the exit of the hall and said. “I saw her talking to a man over there. They left together.”

Julian frowned. “You saw Sydney with a man?”

Ashley nodded. “Yes,” she said, then asked. “Why are you surprised? I thought you knew.”

“Knew what?”

Ashley gasped, covering her mouth. “I can’t believe I said that.”

Julian leaned forward. “Do you know something that I should know?”

She looked down, brushing hair from her face. “Last week, I saw Sydney at a hotel restaurant with someone. At first, I thought it was you. But when I got closer, I realized it wasn’t—and then I saw them go into a room. Together.”

Julian shook his head. “No. Sydney wouldn’t—”

“I didn’t want to believe it either,” Ashley said. “But I took pictures. I thought you deserved to know.”

She held out her phone. Julian took it, scrolling through the images. His expression froze.

“This... this can’t be real,” he murmured.

“I know. I’m sorry,” Ashley said softly. “I didn’t know how to tell you. I didn’t want to get involved.”

Julian handed the phone back, his jaw tightening, eyes dark.

Ashley took it slowly. Then, in a quiet voice, she asked,

“This... won’t ruin your marriage, will it?”

Julian rubbed his face, still struggling to process the truth. His wife had cheated on him.

“It won’t,” he said quietly. “Don’t put that pressure on yourself.”

But even as the words left his mouth, he knew the truth—he couldn’t stay married to Sydney after learning she had shared a bed with another man.

While in the car, Sydney’s personal chauffeur looked back at her in concern. “Ma’am you don't seem to be feeling well. Should I take you to the hospital?”

Sydney nodded. “Yes, please do that.”

The chauffeur nodded and drove straight to a hospital. Sdyney was admitted and attended to. They ran some tests and prescribed some pain relief drugs to treat her stomach ache.

On the other hand, Julian had left the company event early and drove straight home. He called Sydney multiple times, but she didn’t answer the call. When he got to their mansion, he got down from his car and rushed to meet her in her bedroom, but she wasn't there.

Just then, Ashley’s words echoed in his mind.

I saw her talking with a man over there, they left the hall together.

Julian frown deepened. Could Sydney be in a hotel with that man right now?

He gripped his hair, feeling betrayed. How could he have not known that his wife was cheating on him. The signs must have been there.

Not long after, Sydney arrived home and saw Julian waiting for her in the living room.

“Where have you been?!” Julian demanded.

“Do you really want to know?” Sydney asked, still feeling irritated about what he did at the event.

“I asked you a question.”

“I had a stomach ache so I left early and went to the hospital. Satisfied?” She questioned.

“I know you are lying, where did you really go?!”

“Julian, I’ve had a long day, and I’m very tired,” Sydney said with a sigh. “Excuse me.”

Sydney left him in the living room and went to her room. She locked her door and took a shower. Then, she took the drugs the doctor had prescribed and went to bed.

The next morning, a text from her doctor woke her up. The doctor had texted her that he had something important to discuss with aher.

That morning, Sydney dressed up and went for her appointment with the doctor. She wasn't bothered about what the doctor regarded as important. After all, nothing bad could have happened.