Semua Bab The Silent Wife: Bab 21 - Bab 30

Chapter 20: The Edge of Fear“Justin,” I began hesitantly, “what happens if this never really ends? What if Alicia or Ramon have more people waiting in the wings?”He took my hand, squeezing it gently. “Then we face them. Together.”I smiled, feeling the warmth of his reassurance. But deep down, the fear didn’t completely fade.Weeks later, just as I was beginning to feel a tentative sense of normalcy, the phone rang. The number was unknown.“Joanna,” the voice was distorted, menacing. “You think it’s over? It’s only just begun.”My blood ran cold. The call ended abruptly, leaving me trembling.I showed the message to Justin. His face darkened.“We have to increase security,” he said firmly. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”True to his word, Justin hired additional protection. But even with guards and cameras, the anxiety clawed at me. Every creak in the night, every shadow by the window became a nightmare waiting to happen.One evening, as I prepared dinner, I heard a soft knock

Chapter 22: Love Beyond ScarsHe pulled me close, his breath warm against my hair.“Normal isn’t coming back overnight,” he said gently. “It’s going to be a process. But I’ll walk every step with you.”His words grounded me. I realized then that healing wasn’t just about moving on—it was about learning to live with the past while embracing the future.Together, we decided to revisit therapy, this time as a couple. I needed to understand my trauma; Justin needed to understand how to support me best.The sessions were sometimes painful, peeling back layers of fear and doubt. But slowly, we found new ways to communicate. I learned to voice my anxieties; Justin learned to listen without trying to “fix” everything instantly.One particular session stood out. Our therapist suggested a trust exercise—sharing a vulnerable moment with each other and then holding eye contact for a full minute.I chose to tell Justin about my deepest fear—the lingering thought that maybe he’d grow tired of the s

Chapter 24: Unbroken VowsA message from Elena’s number:“You can’t escape me. I’m not finished yet.”My hands trembled as I showed Justin.He looked grave. “We need to prepare for the worst. But this time, we’ll be ready.”I nodded, drawing strength from his presence.The final confrontation came sooner than expected.A late-night call from Ramos alerted us to a break-in attempt at the company.Justin and I rushed to the scene, arriving just as security guards confronted intruders.Amid the chaos, Elena appeared, flanked by a group of accomplices.“You think locking me up stops me?” she sneered. “I’m just getting started.”Justin moved swiftly, tackling her to the ground.I felt a surge of adrenaline as I joined the fray, helping subdue the others.The fight was brutal but brief. Police backup arrived, and Elena and her gang were arrested once more—this time for good.In the aftermath, Justin and I finally allowed ourselves to breathe.We held a small, intimate wedding surrounded by

Chapter 26: The Edge of BetrayalHe sat beside me, taking my hand. “So do you. Don’t lose yourself in the fight.”His words were a balm, a reminder that I wasn’t alone. We were partners in every sense of the word, facing the storm hand in hand.The pressure only escalated as the date of our next product launch approached. This launch was crucial — a make-or-break moment for the company and a direct challenge to our adversaries. We spared no effort, rehearsing presentations, coordinating with marketing, and ensuring every technical detail was flawless.The night before the launch, I barely slept. Thoughts swirled through my mind, a chaotic mix of hope and dread. What if something went wrong? What if the saboteurs struck again? But Justin’s reassuring presence was a steadying force. He stayed by my side until I finally drifted into a restless sleep.Launch day arrived with a sense of cautious optimism. The convention center buzzed with excitement as industry leaders and media gathered t

Chapter 28: Until the Dawn Finds UsBut even as we dreamed, reality crept in at the edges. The threats hadn’t vanished. The company’s enemies were still watching, waiting for a chance to strike. And there was something else—a lingering fear that the past could still catch up to us.The very next morning, just as sunlight spilled through the windows, my phone buzzed with a message that sent a chill down my spine.Anonymous: You’re not as safe as you think. Walk carefully.I stared at the screen, heart pounding. “Justin,” I whispered.He appeared beside me instantly, reading the message over my shoulder. His expression hardened. “We need to be careful. Whoever’s sending this knows we’re getting close.”I nodded, swallowing the knot of fear tightening in my throat. “Do you think it’s someone from the company?”“Maybe. Or someone connected to the syndicate. Either way, they’re trying to unsettle us.”That day, everything shifted. Security tightened. Meetings were more guarded. And I felt