Chapter One
Ella:
Kitchen work doesn't tire me out, and since it's morning-my only task is to prepare breakfast before Harper wakes up. The kids are already off to school, and Harper will be coming downstairs around now-all dressed up for work.
I can hear footsteps, then a hand snaking around my waist, then a kiss brushes my neck. "Morning."
I smile and peel the boiled egg. My fingers move so elegantly while doing the housework-as if I have been doing this for years. Of course, I really have. The sun is so bright today-a good beach day. But I can't go there alone-it's no fun all by myself.
I look back at Harper; he's reading the newspaper. The new tie looks so good on him. He should wear something else instead of that drab white shirt.
"Why are you wearing that dirty shirt?"
He peeks from the side of his newspaper. "Well, I'm a bit late today, so I wore whatever I could find."
"No, you're not late."
He hasn't replied; instead, he continues to read the newspaper. I walk with two plates and sit down on a chair in front of him.
The way he's chewing his meal right now makes me want to punch a hole in a wall. Now, I don't like his new tie. It's enhancing this sad shirt.
I can see a stain around the top buttons. It lies there-unwanted. I want to ask him to take it off so I can wash the shirt clean. But I'm too lazy; I guess the morning task really tired me out after all.
He finishes his breakfast, wipes his lips, and stands up.
"Alright, honey, I'll be going."
He takes his coat. I follow him to the door; he turns around and kisses me. I can taste our breakfast again.
I smile at him as he gets inside his car, then drives off. I sigh and close the door. My shoulders sink as I look around our house.
The messy couch makes me want to just lie down somewhere far away from here. Yesterday, one of our neighbours invited me to a tea party that is supposed to be today.
But I don't think I'll be able to attend since I'd have to manage the home by myself. Those neighbours have maids-almost every family has maids in this neighbourhood. Personally, it's pathetic that they have to hire someone else to do their own jobs; it's pathetic, right?
My legs don't want to move; I sometimes talk to my own body parts that are being lazy. Right now, I just told my legs that after cleaning the entire house, we can rest. That's a lie, though.
Still, I can find some time to relax. I sit down on my bed and start to scroll through the social media apps. My friends have been travelling all around the world. They're yet to marry.
Looking at other people's posts and videos makes me want to throw my phone hard against the wall. I shouldn't check their profiles. But it's like a trap; maybe I'm addicted to this virtual escapism.
As I scroll further, I look at Harper's account. I open his profile. The photos are warm and cute. There are a lot of photos with me, our kids, and some of his own pics.
This photo is from the time when we toured Europe five years ago, before coming to this shithole of a town. I'm holding his arm tight since the raft was quite wobbly. He's smiling like he's enjoying the worried expression on my face. I can feel a smile creep up on my cheeks.
I move to another photo, and another and another. I look at the like counts. It seems family pictures are more attractive. Oh! Who's this? ItsJustAbby.
The profile picture has an attractive woman with shoulder-length blonde hair and vivid blue eyes. I click on the profile; it's empty. She has liked one of the solo pictures of Harper.
I look through other pictures. I check the likes on photos with me and our kids. She hasn't liked any of them, but her interests are solely on pics where Harper is all by himself.
That uneasy feeling is churning up inside me. I sigh and throw my phone down on the couch. It's probably nothing, and yet why can't I quell this feeling?
The clock shows it's 7:37. Harper is late tonight. He's rarely late; I suppose work, or maybe-ugh! I shouldn't think that way.
Finally... I can hear the car approaching, then silence follows. I hear footsteps. The door opens, and Harper walks in. His hair is dishevelled.
"Welcome home." My fears are hidden by a forced smile.
He returns my greeting with a smile as well. He kisses the top of my head and walks past me. "I'm so tired. Did the kids eat?"
I nod and walk to the kitchen. He disappears upstairs to our bedroom. This silence is smothering me. I want to ask him about Abby, but I fear his answers could disrupt my mental peace even more.
I serve our dinner and wait for him at the dining table. I see him descending the stairs-but his eyes are locked on his phone as he walks towards me. He has a charming smile right now. I love his warm smile, but right now my heart sinks. What's so exciting on his phone?
He takes his seat at the table and places his phone. Face down. We indulge in our dinner after the prayers.
"How was your day?" His phone buzzes before he can reply to me. He picks it up in an instant. I can see him typing something by the movements of his fingers.
"I asked you something."
Without looking at me, he waves his hand. "It was quite like how it has always been."
I sigh. I feel as if our food is a lump of needles. I examine him for another minute. He has left his food all alone just for the sake of a notification that makes his face light up.
I clench my fork tightly. I don't want to eat now. I want him to look at me with that same smile. I drop my fork; my hands slide down to my thigh under the table by themselves.
"So, why did you change your phone password?"
