On the other side of the city, Elara was losing the battle against her memories. The harder she tried to banish Kael's shadow, the more vividly his face haunted her. Every corner of her silent, luxurious home seemed to whisper tales of the past—Kael's spontaneous laughter, the way he looked at her as if she were the only woman in the world, the sense of freedom she felt with him.
Sitting on the edge of her bed, Elara's tears flowed soundlessly. A sharp guilt stabbed through her. She felt deeply sinful—not just for still loving Kael, but for her inability to love David completely, her own husband who had never wronged her.
Suddenly, her phone rang, shattering the silence. "David My Love" flashed on the screen. Startled, Elara hurriedly tried to conceal her panic. She wiped her tears and took a deep breath before answering.
"H-Hello, Darling?"
"Elara, just wanted to let you know. I'll be home late tonight. There's an unexpected meeting with a new client from Singapore. It's about a new property contract," David's voice sounded busy yet warm.
Elara was all too familiar with this routine. David, the successful property developer, always had unpredictable commitments. Normally, she would simply reply, "Okay, drive safely." But today, the chaos in her heart made her slip.
Mid-conversation, David suddenly interrupted. "Darling, wait a moment. Your voice sounds... Have you been crying?"
Elara froze. Her heart raced. She felt trapped. In her panic, another lie emerged, this time wrapped in pretense.
"Ah, yes," she said, straining to sound needy and vulnerable. "I... I miss you so much, Darling. Please come home soon? Honestly... I feel terribly sad when you're away."
On the other end, David paused briefly before chuckling softly. "Elara... you've been acting so clingy lately. I like it." There was a satisfied tone in his voice. "Forgive me, Darling. But this client is from overseas, and it's crucial for our business, for our future. Be patient, Darling. Wait for me at home. It won't be long."
David continued in a doting tone, "Go meet your friends while waiting for me. Don't stay home alone. You don't need to bother with Alisha—she's grown up and well taken care of, right? Enjoy your time, Darling. I don't want you to be sad anymore. It breaks my heart to see you like this. Or... what do you need? Tell me. I'll buy it for you."
It pained Elara to hear how sincere and loving David was. It made her feel even more despicable.
"It's alright, David. I'm fine," she weakly protested.
"Alright then,Darling. I have to go now. The client has arrived. I love you."
"I love you too,"Elara replied, her voice trembling.
As soon as the call ended, Elara threw her phone onto the bed and let out a shaky, deep breath. She stared at her reflection in the wall mirror.
"Oh, Elara," she muttered self-deprecatingly. "You foolish woman. Crying over another man who isn't yours, while your loyal husband is worried and trying to make you happy from afar."
The loneliness and confusion intensified. She couldn't stay in this house alone with her thoughts. She needed an outlet, someone to talk to, a distraction.
With trembling hands, she picked up her phone again and dialed her best friend, Erica.
"Erica," she said the moment the call connected, her voice broken and desperate. "What are you doing? I... I need you right now."