Chapter 1

New York City was bathed in the lights of evening, while skyscrapers stretched beyond the glass windows of the King family mansion, like stars suspended in an endless sky.

On the upper floor, Elena stood before the mirror, arranging the strands of her long red hair as they fell softly over her shoulders. Her light hazel eyes reflected in the glass, carrying the calm expression that everyone who knew her had grown accustomed to.

She straightened the hem of her simple dress, then glanced at the clock.

Her husband was late again.

She sighed softly before offering herself a small smile.

Elena was not the kind of woman who grew angry simply because her husband came home late. She understood the nature of Alexander's work, and she knew that his position as CEO of Kingston Global Holdings required him to spend long hours attending meetings and negotiating business deals.

And yet, something had been different lately.

Something small.

Something difficult to explain.

But it was there.

Two years ago, Alexander had begun to change.

He no longer sent her short messages throughout the day as he used to, nor did he call to ask whether she had eaten lunch. Even his return home had become later than usual.

Still, Elena refused to let suspicion ruin four years of marriage.

She remembered perfectly well what Alexander had been like during their early years together.

The man who would interrupt an entire meeting just to answer her call.

The man who would return from a long business trip carrying gifts simply because he had missed her smile.

The man who insisted on having dinner with her, even if he had only half an hour to spare before an important meeting.

So whenever she noticed a change in him, she convinced herself that it was because of work.

Perhaps the new business deals.

Perhaps the responsibilities that had grown heavier on his shoulders.

Perhaps he simply needed some time.

She heard the sound of the main door downstairs.

Her head lifted at once, and a few moments later, Alexander appeared in the doorway.

He was dressed in a black suit, exhaustion clearly visible in his features. Yet his eyes retained the cool composure for which he was so well known.

Elena smiled.

“You're finally home.”

He looked at her for a few seconds before approaching.

“Have you been waiting for me?”

“Just a little.”

“I told you not to wait for me.”

She smiled shyly. “And I told you that I like seeing you when you come home.”

He fell silent for a moment.

There had been a time when Alexander couldn't resist that smile.

He raised a hand and brushed a strand of hair away from her face.

“My little angel.”

Her smile widened.

“I knew you would say that.”

Those four words alone were enough to put her heart at ease.

But his smile didn't last long.

He stepped away from her and headed toward the wardrobe to take off his jacket.

Elena watched him in silence.

It was such a simple gesture, yet it made something inside her tighten.

He no longer looked at her the same way.

She approached him and asked, “Did something happen at the company?”

“No.”

“? Are you sure”

“Yes.”

She nodded without pressing him further.

She believed that marriage meant giving the person you loved space whenever they needed it.

She approached him again and took his jacket from his hand.

“Dinner is ready.”

“I'm not hungry.”

She lifted her eyes to his.

“Even if you don't eat much, sit with me for a little while.”

He hesitated for a moment before nodding.

“All right.”

A small, happy smile appeared on her face, as though his agreement to sit with her were something worth celebrating.

Downstairs, Elena sat across from him, telling him about a book she had started reading and the new flower she had planted in the garden.

Alexander listened, but he wasn't entirely present.

His phone rang.

He glanced at the screen before turning it facedown on the table.

Elena noticed the movement but said nothing.

“Is it something important?”

“No.”

She smiled. “All right.”

Silence settled between them for a few moments.

Then she spoke softly.

“Alexander?”

“Hmm?”

“I just... want you to know that I'm always here if you ever need someone to talk to.”

He looked at her for a brief moment, feeling a strange pang in his chest.

But he concealed it.

“I know.”

She smiled at him, unaware that the man sitting across from her was hiding the biggest secret of their lives.

The distance she had given him, believing it was space to rest and breathe, was actually an empty space into which another woman had quietly slipped.

---

The following morning, Alexander left the mansion early.

As soon as the door closed behind him, a black car pulled up outside the Kingston company building.

An elegant woman stepped out, carrying a black leather handbag.

Victoria Harris, Alexander's business manager.

She entered the company with confident steps. Employees stood to greet her respectfully. She knew exactly where she stood within the company, and more importantly, she knew how much Alexander trusted her.

She made her way to his office, where Alexander was reviewing some documents.

She knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

She placed the files in front of him.

“These are the documents for the new deal. I've reviewed everything.”

He raised his eyes to her.

“Thank you.”

“There is a meeting with the investors on Thursday evening, and I need your approval for the schedule.”

“Do whatever you think is appropriate.”

She smiled.

“As you wish.”

She turned to leave, then stopped.

“Alexander.”

“? What is it”

She looked at him for a long moment before asking,

“Should I wait for you at our house today, or are you going back to that little woman of yours?”

Alexander looked at her, considering the question for a moment.

Then he replied, “Wait for me there.”

He had no idea that Victoria was already planning to destroy his marriage.