"Where the River Knows Our Pain"
Chapter 1
In Velmora city
7:00 a.m. sharp.
The morning sun peeked through the sheer white curtains, casting a soft golden glow over the cozy kitchen. The scent of butter and fresh potatoes danced in the air. Rubi stood barefoot on the warm tiled floor, her floral robe slightly messy but her presence still effortlessly graceful. Her long hair was tied up in a lazy bun, a few strands framing her face as she moved with practiced ease.
She grated two potatoes with the energy of a woman on a mission-her bangles clinking lightly with each stroke. The eggs were cracked with precision, yolks landing perfectly into the bowl. She added a pinch of salt like a seasoned chef on a cooking show and stirred it all together. A sizzle rose the moment she dropped the butter onto the pan. The kitchen filled with that homey, comforting sound only a well-loved pan could make. She layered the grated potatoes, pressing them gently with the spatula, then poured the egg mixture over it like a delicate final touch.
Without turning, she called toward the staircase in her signature dramatic tone, "Wake up, Shania! It's already time! And don't you dare say I didn't try waking you up!"
From the bathroom came the sound of furious brushing-Dan, half-awake and foaming at the mouth, was scrubbing his teeth like he was trying to erase all his late-night snacks. He poked his head out of the doorway, toothbrush still in hand, and mumbled through the foam, "Don't worry, Rubi! She's already up. I can hear her pretending to sleep."
Rubi narrowed her eyes like a hawk spotting prey. "Why are you always on her side?" she snapped playfully. But her gaze suddenly shifted, locking onto the toothbrush he was holding. Her eyes widened in horror.
"Wait a second-ARE YOU USING MY BRUSH AGAIN?!"
Dan froze. "It's been ten years, Rubi. Think of it as... bonding?"
Rubi didn't respond with words-she reached for the nearest thing in arm's reach: a kitchen cleaver. Dan bolted back into the bathroom and slammed the door shut just in time.
From behind the door, his voice came out in a high-pitched imitation of hers, "Ten years of marriage, and you still can't catch me!"
Rubi rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. She shook her head with mock annoyance and went back to the stove, flipping the breakfast with a practiced flick of the wrist.
Meanwhile, from the top of the stairs came the soft shuffle of slippers. A small figure peeked around the corner-Shania, wrapped in her oversized hoodie like a sleepy burrito. Her hair was a messy waterfall of waves, and she blinked slowly like a kitten freshly woken from a dream.
She tiptoed down the stairs without a word and slipped silently into her chair at the dining table, her fingers rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Her pink tablet was tucked under one arm, and the faint jingle of her favorite anime opening theme trailed behind her.
Dan stepped out of the bathroom at that moment, still drying his face with a towel. Rubi glanced at him and said, "Go check on Shania, will you? She's probably still curled up like a cat."
But before he could turn, a tiny voice spoke up from the table.
"Mammy... I'm already here."
Rubi spun around, nearly dropping the spatula. "When did you get here?!"
Shania's head popped up from behind her tablet. "When you two were fighting," she answered innocently, blinking like she'd just witnessed a soap opera episode.
Dan choked on a laugh. "Okay, okay! Time for breakfast before this turns into a drama series."
Rubi sighed in defeat but couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips. "Dan, help me with the plates."
He saluted dramatically. "Yes, my queen."
With the table set and breakfast served, the small family shared their meal amid playful teasing and cozy silence. Shania munched on her potato-egg pancake, eyes glued to her tablet screen where fairies and dragons fought epic battles.
After a quick cleanup and a whirlwind of packing bags, fixing hair, and shouting things like "Where's my other shoe?!" the three of them finally stood at the front door.
Dan, ever the gentleman in slippers, jogged ahead to the car. He opened the front door with a bow and a grin. "Your chariot awaits, Princess Shania."
She giggled and hopped in, hugging her pink backpack.
Then, like clockwork, he circled around to open the back door for Rubi. "And for my queen."
Rubi rolled her eyes but smiled anyway as she slipped into the seat. Her deep maroon lipstick was flawless, matching the sharp edges of her tailored blazer. She looked elegant-like she always did-yet her fingers fidgeted nervously with the hem of her sleeve.
She nodded, swallowing the tightness in her throat. Her eyes, once fierce in the kitchen, now shimmered with a fragile edge as she glanced back at Shania through the mirror
After dropping Shania off with a warm hug and a kiss on her forehead, Rubi moved to the front seat.
the car continued toward Diamond Kings-the international jewelry company where both Dan and Rubi worked. The building loomed like a crystal tower, glittering and intimidating.
But as the car rolled forward, Rubi's smile faded. Her eyes began to glisten.
Dan noticed instantly. "Here we go again," he said softly. "Rubi, everything will be okay. I'm always on your side, remember?"
He reached over and held her hand with one of his own, his expression calm and full of quiet strength. Rubi tried to smile, but her heart still trembled like she was walking into battle.
Inside the lift, Dan pressed the button for the 12th floor. As the elevator rose, employees entered-friendly nods, awkward glances. At the 8th floor, two young women stepped in, not noticing Rubi and Dan at the back.
"If I were Rubi, I'd have quit by now," one whispered. "After all that embarrassment, she still walks in like a queen."
"She's so full of attitude," the other muttered. "Even though she's married, the director keeps giving her chances and favors. Weird, right?"
Rubi stood stiff, pretending not to hear-but the sting hit her eyes.
Then one said it. "It's not confirmed, but they say she was the director's first love."
Dan's hand tightened around hers. "Don't worry, Rubi," he said, loud and clear. "I'm right here. Don't waste a second on people like them."
The elevator went silent.
The girls turned, faces pale-like kids caught stealing candy.
As the doors opened on the 12th floor, Dan shot them a sharp glare, the kind that said: Try me.
The office was tense, almost suffocating. As Rubi and Dan stepped onto the twelfth floor of Diamond Kings, all conversation seemed to die for a split second-only to be replaced with hushed whispers and judgmental glances. Phones clicked, screens glowed, but eyes followed her every step. Rubi kept her head high, her heels clicking crisply against the marble floor, but her grip tightened on Dan's hand. His silent presence was her only anchor.
Small groups of coworkers leaned together, pretending to check files or sip coffee, but really they were whispering.
"She still comes like nothing happened..."
"I would've resigned after all that drama. Director's favorite or not."
"Isn't it weird how she always gets picked for the biggest pitches?"
Before their words could sting deeper, the director's secretary arrived. He was tall, sharply dressed, and all-business. "The meeting will begin in ten minutes," he said with a short glance at Rubi and Dan. But as he turned away, his subtle nod and low smile suggested silent support.
The boardroom began to fill. Heads of departments filed in, voices low, faces unreadable. Then the heavy glass doors closed behind them.
-
After what felt like an eternity, the meeting was over. The room emptied quickly, chatter returning. Just as Rubi was about to leave with Dan, Director Ryan's voice cut through the noise.
"Rubi, stay for a moment."
She looked instinctively at Dan. He gave a small nod, masking his own unease. "I'll be right outside."
Inside, the tension was thick. Ryan leaned on the edge of the sleek conference table, arms crossed-not in arrogance, but in concern.
"I'm sorry about the rumors," he said, his voice softer than expected. "I know it's hard. I truly am sorry."
"Don't say sorry again and again," Rubi snapped, her voice rising. "Things are already complicated-for me, and for Dan."
Ryan stepped closer, but stopped when he saw the wall she'd put up. He had known Rubi long before Diamond Kings, long before this distance existed.
"I won't give up until I prove your innocence. We still time time-"
"We?" Rubi interrupted. "You have time, Ryan. I don't. People are talking. I can't even defend myself."
She took a shaky breath. "What if you fail? What if you can't prove, I didn't use our past to gain favors? Will you guarantee my future then? My reputation? My marriage?"
Tears welled in her eyes. "They think I should resign, but no one sees how hard I worked for this. How much I sacrificed."
Her voice cracked. "And Dan... what about him? If I resign, or if you fire me-do you think Dan will stay here working for the same people who tried to break me?"
She looked away, ashamed. "He always smiles at me like everything will be okay. But I might be the reason he loses his dream. His pride. Our peace."
Ryan had no words. For once, even the powerful director felt helpless.
He took a cautious step forward, reaching out to offer comfort-but Rubi stepped back and turned to the door. Her silence hit harder than anything else.
-
Dan was waiting outside, just like he said he would be. His eyes softened instantly at the sight of Rubi's tear-stained face. Without hesitation, he shrugged off his blazer and draped it around her shoulders.
He didn't ask anything. He didn't need to. He simply led her to the elevator, hand steady on her back.
Inside the lift, Rubi crumbled.
She sank into the corner, legs folding beneath her, back against the cold steel wall. Her arms wrapped around her head, her long hair forming a curtain that hid her face from the buzzing fluorescent light.
It started slow-just a tremble in her shoulders. Then came the soft gasps, and then quiet sobs. Her tears soaked into Dan's blazer, but she didn't care. She bit her lip, trying to muffle the sound, but her pain overflowed.
For once, Rubi-strong, graceful Rubi-wasn't okay. And Dan couldn't bear it.
He sat down beside her without a word. Eyes damp, but jaw set. He had to be her strength. If he fell apart, who would hold her together?
They stayed there, in silence. Just two people against the world.
-
Later, Dan drove them to their quiet place-by the riverside.
The river flowed gently, glimmering in the evening light. Cool air brushed Rubi's face, drying her tears, but her heart was still heavy.
They walked slowly, side by side. Rubi said nothing. Dan didn't push her to speak. He just held her hand, grounding her.
At one point, she stopped and stared out over the water.
Dan stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. His chin rested lightly on her shoulder.
"Whatever happens," he whispered, "I'm not going anywhere."
Rubi's eyes closed, her body relaxing into his. For the first time all day, she breathed.
And in that moment-wrapped in Dan's arms, with the river singing quietly behind them-she didn't feel broken. She felt safe.
8:00 PM - A Sudden Collision
The countryside road near Rivelle (A small village near the Soul River lies just one and a half hours away from Velmora City. ) was dimly lit, the only light coming from the occasional streetlamp and the fading colors of dusk melting into night. The narrow road twisted gently along the riverbank, where silence ruled-except for the humming of tires against gravel.
Inside a dusty old taxi, an elderly woman clutched her grandson's hand tightly. The boy looked out the window quietly, his eyes following the glimmer of the river nearby. The driver-middle-aged, unshaven, smelling faintly of alcohol-unscrewed a bottle and took a swig, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
The old woman wrinkled her nose and asked sharply, "Are you drunk?"
He chuckled, not taking his eyes off the road. "Don't worry, Grandma. I've done this for years. I'll get you there safe."
Her fingers twitched nervously. "Stop the taxi. Right now."
But the driver's voice hardened. "Ma'am, it's past 8. No other taxis come out this far at this hour. And you've got a child with you. Just sit tight. Velmora is only an hour and a half away."
Reluctantly, the woman sank back into her seat, but her unease lingered like a weight on her chest.
Meanwhile, further down the same road, a sleek black car cruised smoothly toward the city. Inside, Dan held the steering wheel with one hand, the other gently resting on Rubi's. Their silence wasn't uncomfortable-it was filled with unspoken emotions, the kind that fill the spaces between words.
"We should head back," Dan murmured softly.
Rubi nodded. The glow of the dashboard reflected off her delicate features as she turned her gaze toward the passing trees. "Yeah... Let's go home."
They were just a few kilometers from Rivelle when it happened.
The taxi, weaving slightly, drifted too far into the opposite lane. The driver, already dizzy, blinked hard-just as headlights beamed into his eyes. In a split second, everything changed.
SCREECH.
CRASH!
Dan's hands jerked the steering wheel right, trying to swerve away, but it was too late. Metal slammed into metal with a deafening crunch. Glass shattered like rain. The world tilted.
Inside the black car, airbags burst open. Rubi's body lurched forward, her seatbelt biting into her shoulder. Dan's forehead struck the steering wheel, and blood trickled down his brow.
"Dan..." Rubi's voice cracked, a whisper of horror.
Dan (weakly, blood trailing from the corner of his lips, his body trembling as pain surged through every nerve) let out the most heart-wrenching cry - a sound that broke something deep inside Rubi.
His trembling hand slowly reached up, brushing Rubi's forehead with a touch so gentle, it felt like goodbye.
Dan (his voice barely a whisper):
"Sorry... I couldn't keep my promise... the one where I said I'm not going anywhere."
Rubi (shaking her head, tears falling endlessly):
"No, Dan... don't say that! You're not going anywhere! You promised me- you promised!"
Dan (his fingers now cold, his grip weakening):
"I love you... in every shade of situation, Rubi..."
A single tear slid from the corner of his eye. And then - with a soft, regretful smile - Dan closed his eyes. His chest stopped rising, but his face carried a strange peace... as if knowing, in his final breath, that Rubi was with him.
Then his eyes closed.
"No! Dan! Dan, stay with me!" Rubi cried, her voice trembling. Her fingers reached for her phone with shaking hands, but pain screamed through her body. Her vision swam. Her breath came in short gasps.
Her phone blinked. A call was still connected.
"Rubi? Rubi, what's happening?! Hello??"
Her lips moved, barely forming words. "Soul... river..." she whispered before everything went black.
Time passed.
Rubi drifted in and out of consciousness. Blood trickled from a wound on her forehead. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears like a far-off drum.
Rubi didn't know how long she had been unconscious, but a faint sense of presence stirred her back to awareness. Through her blurry vision, she saw headlights cutting through the darkness. A car had stopped in front of the wreck. The lights glowed like halos in the night. She tried to focus, her heartbeat growing faint, her breath shallow. The shape of someone stepping out of the vehicle became visible-unclear, shadowed-but definitely there.
Rubi turned her head slowly, her vision clouded by tears and pain, and looked at Dan. Through the blur, she saw the face that once meant home.
Now, in this shattered moment, all those memories surged back like a flood she couldn't stop.
The weight of guilt crushed her chest like a stone.
This is my fault, she whispered inwardly. All of it. The pain... the accident... the broken pieces of us.
And then... everything faded to black again.
To be countinue....
Ques: Do you believe office gossip can ruin someone's life-or is it just harmless noise?
