Chapter One
Chapter One
“Ping!” The notification sound rang out from Jackson’s phone on the bedside drawer.
Jackson lazily reached for it and glanced at the screen—3:45 AM—then tossed it back down without even checking who had texted. He was about to go back to sleep when the chime came again. This time, it woke Belinda too.
Jackson picked up the phone and checked the message. His face changed instantly—it was from Angela, his secret lover.
Belinda stirred gently, turning toward him. “Honey, who is texting you at this hour?”
Jackson shrugged, trying to sound casual. “It’s Peter. I think he’s reminding me about the project we discussed yesterday.”
Belinda studied his face carefully. Instead of looking relaxed, he was batting his eyelashes—a nervous habit he only does when he’s lying. Her curiosity quickly turned to suspicion.
“Oh really, Jack?” she said, sitting up. “I don’t believe you.”
Jackson rolled his eyes and turned over, clearly choosing sleep over a confrontation.
Seeing that he was ignoring her, Belinda slipped out of bed, walked over to his side drawer, and reached for the phone. Before her hand could touch it, Jackson turned sharply and snatched the device, pulling it well out of her reach.
Belinda’s mouth fell open slightly. “Wow… is this how we're doing things now, Jack?”
“Belinda, listen to me,” Jackson said, sitting up immediately. “Trust me—this message is from Peter. It’s about work. Nothing else.”
“I won’t listen to you,” Belinda snapped, her voice rising. “And I certainly don’t trust you right now. If you want me to believe you, it’s simple: hand the phone over.”
Jackson groaned. “I can’t. This is a matter of my privacy and professional ethics.”
“Work ethics, my foot!” Belinda barked. “I’m your wife, for God’s sake! Hand over the phone right now.”
Jackson realized she wasn't going to back down. His mind raced, desperately trying to find a way out without letting her see the screen. But before he could think of a lie, Belinda lunged and grabbed the phone. Jackson yanked it back, but she held on tight, refusing to let go.
Overwhelmed by panic, Jackson used his full force. He ripped the phone from her grip and, the moment it was free, hurled it against the opposite wall.
It hit the plaster with a loud c***k and shattered onto the floor, the screen completely destroyed.
“Oh my goodness, Jack!” Belinda gasped, her eyes wide with shock. “You smashed your phone just so I wouldn’t see who texted you? And you literally just told me to trust you!”
“You’re the cause of this,” Jackson replied, his anger forced and defensive. “I already told you who texted me, but you chose to play detective.”
“Oh, so now I’m the problem because you threw a tantrum and broke your phone?” Belinda let out a bitter, mocking laugh. “Since when is it a crime for a wife to ask her husband a question?”
“I answered your question, but—” Jackson started.
“But what?” Belinda cut him off, stepping right into his space and looking him dead in the eye. “Answer me.”
“How dare you corner me like this, Belinda!” Jackson fumed. “Don’t ever back me into a corner again.”
He shoved past her with a cold glare, snatched his broken phone off the floor, and stormed out into the living room.
Belinda stood frozen in the middle of the bedroom, her mind racing to process the whirlwind that had just occurred.
“It’s been so long since Jack last raised his voice at me,” she muttered, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and heartache.
She checked the time on her own phone: 4:30 AM.
She climbed back into bed, hoping to catch a bit more rest so she'd have the energy for her morning run and to make breakfast for their son before school. But sleep completely eluded her. Her mind was spinning.
With a heavy sigh, she rolled over and forced her eyes shut, but it was no use. She lay there, staring into the dark, waiting for the clock to strike 5:00 AM.
When the alarm finally chimed, she threw off the covers, walked to her closet, and pulled out her usual workout gear: black leggings, a white tank top, and her black-and-white sneakers.
Holding her headphones, she walked into the sitting room and saw her husband asleep on the couch. Instantly, the memory of their argument clouded her mind. Heaving a heavy sigh, she left the house and headed straight toward the road where she usually jogged.
