At the high-end restaurant, a young woman sat close to the transparent glass window in front of a reserved table, filled with the sweet scent of burning candle flames in the votives, rose petals arranged in a heart shape, various dishes, and a bottle of red wine at its center.
She looked alluring tonight, almost complete as a different person, wearing a red slip gown that hugged her curves perfectly. Her lips were painted a glossy red, matching the romantic sight before her.
Tonight was meant to be special. Memorable.
Selina couldn't help but let her lips curve in a small, relentless smile at the pleasant news she had discovered yesterday. Her hand rested lightly on her stomach, cradling a little secret that could change everything between them.
But her husband had yet to arrive.
She kept glancing at the entrance. The unease in her stomach grew with every passing minute. She hoped he would arrive soon—at least on their third anniversary.
Selina pushed aside the creeping paranoia.
"Calm down, Selina. It's only been an hour since I arrived. He promised he'd come. Maybe traffic delayed him." She whispered the words to herself as she straightened her spine and kept a hopeful grin.
She glanced across the table, noticing the meal was slowly growing cold.
Time ticked on, reminding her how such nights usually ended. Minutes passed, hours stretched until it was 11 p.m.
Selina reached for a bottle of white champagne and uncorked it. She had skipped dinner just for this date.
"He won't be late, will he? He agreed to tonight… he knows what this day means. Why isn't he here?" she mumbled, pouring the champagne into the glass. The strong scent of alcohol heightened her disappointment.
She brought the glass to her lips and drank in one go. The liquid burned as her face contorted.
She poured another glass, gulping in the same motion. Again.
And again until she felt a little tipsy. Her cheeks flushed as she shook her head to stay awake.
Picking up her phone, she opened the last message thread:
Today is our anniversary. Will you be available tonight? I have something important to share with you.
Right. I almost forgot. Now you remind me, I'll do my best to arrive on time, with some gifts.
Thank you.
Send the location.
It's at your hotel. KS Hotel.
Reading the text that brought her hope earlier now felt like neglect. Selina's grip tightened around her phone.
Even though he barely had time for her, keeping her at a distance as if she were a plague, Selina didn't fail in that quiet role.
"What a liar you are," she whispered, tears welled at the corners of her eyes. But she didn't let it fall, feeling he chose not to come.
She couldn't break on days like this.
Just then, her phone rang. The caller ID gleamed with the contact Dad.
She swiped to answer, pressing to her ear.
"Hello, Dad."
"My dear," his voice echoed with concern from the other end. "How's your evening? Has Zane arrived?"
"No, Dad. He hasn't," she fixed her gaze on the candles that were half burned.
"What? I thought he promised. What happened?"
"I… I don't know."
"Call him, then. Find out what's keeping him."
Selina shook her head, a quiet pride mingling with her disappointment. "I won't. I've waited long enough. We'll talk about it at home."
"That young man! Treating you this way, ignoring a special night, is unacceptable! He needs someone to set him straight about what marriage means. I must talk to him,"
Selina bit her lip, holding back the mixed emotions surging through her. "But what if confronting him only makes things worse? I don't want to ruin years of trying to reach him."
"He's a fool then. You're not being unreasonable. And Lina… you're my daughter. I won't let you be hurt like this alone when he's failing to see your worth. Let me know when you're tired. I will get your—"
"Not so quick, Dad." Selina cuts her father off from completing the words she hadn't brought herself to consider.
"If I pull back now when it's too early, our family business will suffer," she said, trying to stay logical as well.
"Selina, I don't know if you fully understand how much your happiness matters to me more than anything. I can't bear to see you suffer. You can leave the marriage—I'll find a way to keep the family's business stable."
"I'm not suffering, Dad. It's just… he's taking so long to understand my feelings," she defended.
"Foolish girl," he said, a little disappointed though he understood her devotion. "Only someone blinded by love refuses to see suffering. But not like this. He parades with that woman while keeping you hidden from the world."
She knew who he meant.
"I will talk to Zane, and if he refuses to change, you will leave. The decision is final."
"Fine then," Selina whispered. "Good night, Dad."
She was grateful she still had her father on her side, even when others didn't regard her feelings. And didn't care about her.
Once the call ended, Selina grasped her purse and the white envelope wrapped with a red ribbon from the table.
She walked out of the hotel with her heart heavy.
....
After a long drive from the hotel, the white cab pulled up before a vast, aesthetic mansion that gleamed with luxury from every angle. Selina stepped out, paid the driver, and shut the door behind her.
She moved toward the grand entrance, her expression sour, her wedge heels clicking sharply against the marble as she climbed the steps. By the time she reached the porch, her footing faltered.
She pushed the door open and stepped inside, closing it behind her. Her blood turned icy the moment she stumbled into the living room.
Her knees weakened, threatening to give way, when her eyes landed on the sight before her. A woman clad in a sultry red dress was pressed against Zane, her body flush with his.
His hands rested firmly around her slender waist, holding her close. Their lips hovered a breath apart.
A hickey on his neck, which mirrored the woman's glossy red lipstick, made Selina's stomach twist sharply.
Confusion flashed through Selina's eyes as her gaze drifted across the room. A pair of high heels lay discarded on the floor.
Empty glasses and a half-bottle of wine sat on the table— a testament to moments spent well.
They did not startle. They did not pull apart. It was as though her presence meant nothing at all.
A broken gasp slipped from her lips.
"What's happening here?" she asked, her voice threaded with disbelief.
She had spent the evening watching anniversary candles burn down in lonely patience, never imagining Zane had been home all along. Waiting for him, only to find him entangled shamelessly with his mistress.
The woman smiled sweetly. "You're back, Selina. We were having fun before you walked in." She stepped off Zane deliberately, then sat beside him and looped her arm through his. Her head settled against his chest with practiced ease.
Selina's thoughts spiralled into an unpleasant direction. She knew the other woman, Zane's constant companion at public events, the one he treated differently than her with so much affection.
Maura Harrison.
"Do you want to join us?" Maura asked, her smile radiating in her dark eyes.
Selina ignored Maura's mocking invitation and turned to Zane. "Why is she here?"
"Maura would stay with us for a while. She wouldn't need to live alone as she needs care and attention. She's unwell." Zane's tone was deep yet cold.
As his words settled, Maura coughed into a fist, making her expression to look sick.