Chapter 1_ The calm before the storm
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The morning sun spilled gently through the silk curtains, casting a warm glow over the grand Xiao estate. Ellie stood by the balcony, her fingers wrapped around a porcelain teacup, unaware that her perfect world was already cracking beneath her feet. The wind carried a soft breeze, but something in the air felt off — like a storm was quietly brewing.
She smiled softly as she watched little Isabella chase butterflies in the garden below. Her daughter’s laughter echoed like a melody through the air — pure, untouched by the darkness creeping into their lives. Somewhere inside the house, her husband’s voice murmured over a phone call. She didn’t hear the words, but lately, she could feel the growing distance in his tone, in his eyes.
And then, her phone buzzed.
One message.
One photo.
One truth that would shatter everything she believed.
Ellie’s hand trembled slightly as she tapped the message open. It was from an unknown number. The photo loaded slowly—painfully. When it finally appeared, her breath caught.
There he was.
Her husband.
And Emma.
Not at a party, not in passing—*in bed*, smiling like a perfect, twisted couple. Her best friend. The woman who had held her hand through childbirth. The godmother to Isabella. The one she called sister.
Her knees weakened, but she didn’t fall. Not yet. Not in front of her daughter.
She forced herself to breathe. She had to be wrong. It had to be old… fake… anything but true. Her thumb hovered over the screen until she noticed the date at the corner of the photo.
*Last night.*
The teacup slipped from her hand and shattered on the marble floor, just as something inside her shattered too.
From the hallway, a soft voice called, “Ellie?”
Emma.
She was already in the house.
Emma stepped into the living room as of nothing happened.
Her smile was gentle, familiar. The same smile Ellie had trusted for years.
Ellie? I heard something breaking "Emma said softly as she walked closer,"Are you okay??
Ellie slowly turned around. Her fingers tightened around the phone hidden behind her back.
For a moment, she just looked at Emma
This woman had laugh with her, celebrated birthdays with her, held Isabella when she was born and now the image on Ellie's phone in her mind like fire🔥.
Her husband.
Emma.
Together.
Ellie forced a small smile.
"Yes.... I just dropped the teacup", she said quietly.
Emma's eyes scanned her face as if searching for something.
" You look pale, " Emma said, stepping closer Did something happen??
Ellie's heart pounded violently in her chest
Does she know that I know?
From the garden outside, Isabella's laughter floated through the air, innocent and bright.
Ellie glanced toward the window
Her daughter.
Her reason to stay strong.
I'm just tired, " Ellie replied calmly.
Emma studied her for another moment before finally smiling again
"Well, your husband called earlier, 'Emma said casually,"He said he'll be home late tonight".
Ellie felt a sharp stab in her chest.
Of course he will
Because last night......he wasn't working late
He was with Emma
Ellie looked down at her phone again when Emma turned away.
Another message had arrived from the unknown number
Her hand's trembled as she opened it
This time, it wasn't a photo
It was a short sentence.
"If you want to know the full truth......meet me tonight
Attached was an address.
Ellie eyes slowly darkened
The calm in her life was over
And tonight...... Everything would change.
