Shadows of Doubt
826 Words
Aria stared at the message until the words began to blur.
If you want the truth... don't trust your husband.
A chill crept down her spine.
She locked her phone and set it on the bedside table, but sleep never came. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Damien's face... and beside him, Isabella's smiling face from the photograph.
By morning, the questions had only multiplied.
A knock sounded on her bedroom door.
"Mrs. Kingston?" Clara called softly. "Breakfast is ready."
"I'm coming."
Aria quickly freshened up before heading downstairs.
The dining room was just as elegant as before, but this morning the atmosphere felt heavier.
Damien was already seated, reading through several reports.
He looked up as she entered.
"You didn't sleep."
She forced a smile.
"You didn't either."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Finally, Damien folded the papers.
"Sit."
She did.
Breakfast was served in silence.
Aria tried to focus on the food, but the anonymous messages kept replaying in her mind.
Don't trust your husband.
She glanced at Damien.
He looked tired.
His usually perfect appearance was slightly undone, and there were dark circles beneath his eyes.
Whatever had happened at the hospital had clearly affected him.
"How is your chief financial officer?" she asked.
"He survived."
Relief crossed her face.
"That's good."
Damien nodded.
"It wasn't an accident."
Aria slowly put down her fork.
"What do you mean?"
"The brakes on his car were cut."
Her heart skipped a beat.
"So someone tried to kill him?"
"Yes."
The calmness in Damien's voice made the answer even more frightening.
"And you think it's connected to you?"
"I know it is."
Silence settled between them.
Aria suddenly understood why he had looked so worried the night before.
This wasn't just about business anymore.
Someone was making a move.
After breakfast, Damien stood.
"I've increased security around the estate."
Aria frowned.
"You really think that's necessary?"
"I don't take chances."
He walked toward her and placed a small velvet box on the table.
"What's this?"
"For you."
She opened it.
Inside was a delicate silver necklace with a sapphire pendant.
"It's beautiful."
"It isn't just jewelry."
She looked up.
"The pendant contains a GPS tracker and a silent panic button."
Her smile faded.
"A tracker?"
"If you ever feel threatened, press the stone once."
"And then?"
"My security team will know exactly where you are."
Aria stared at the necklace.
"You think someone might come after me."
Damien didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he gently closed the box.
"I think someone wants to use you to get to me."
The words settled heavily between them.
Later that afternoon, Aria wandered into the estate's library.
It was enormous.
Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lined the walls, and sunlight streamed through tall windows.
She ran her fingers across the shelves until one thick photo album caught her attention.
There was no title.
Only the Kingston family crest embossed in gold.
Curious, she opened it.
The first few pages were filled with business events and charity galas.
Then she stopped.
There was Damien.
Much younger.
Standing beside the same woman.
Isabella.
This time, she wasn't just smiling.
She was wearing an engagement ring.
Aria's breath caught.
The anonymous messages had been telling the truth.
Just as she reached to turn the page, the album was gently taken from her hands.
She looked up.
Damien stood beside her.
"You shouldn't be looking through that."
"I'm sorry."
He closed the album carefully.
"I wasn't trying to invade your privacy."
"I know."
She hesitated.
"She really was your fiancée."
For a long moment, Damien said nothing.
Then he nodded once.
"Yes."
The single word carried more pain than an entire conversation.
"What happened to her?"
His jaw tightened.
"I couldn't protect her."
Aria's heart softened.
It was the first time Damien had admitted any weakness.
"I'm sorry."
He looked at her for a moment.
Then, without another word, he placed the album back on the shelf and walked away.
Aria watched him leave.
The anonymous sender wanted her to fear Damien.
But all she had seen was a man carrying unbearable guilt.
Still...
One question refused to leave her mind.
If Damien wasn't responsible...
Who was?
That evening, as rain tapped against the windows of Kingston Estate, Aria's phone vibrated again.
Another message.
Her pulse quickened.
She opened it.
Tomorrow. 8:00 a.m.
Central Station. Come alone if you want the truth about Isabella.
Attached was a final line.
Don't tell Damien... or you'll never see me again.
Aria stared at the screen.
She knew it could be a trap.
She knew Damien would never allow her to go.
But if the stranger truly knew what had happened five years ago...
This might be her only chance to uncover the truth.
She slowly locked her phone.
Outside, thunder rumbled across the dark sky.
And for the first time since agreeing to the contract marriage...
Aria made a decision she would keep from Damien.
- Writer
