ACT NORMAL 2
373 Words
Sylvia barely slept that night. Every sound, every creak of the house, sent a fresh wave of paranoia through her. Lying in bed beside Daniel felt like sleeping next to a venomous snake—coiled and waiting.
By morning, she forced herself to act normal. She got up, got dressed, and made coffee like she always did. Daniel, as usual, was already in the kitchen, sipping his espresso as he scrolled through his phone.
“Morning, sweetheart,” he said, glancing up with an easy smile.
Sylvia swallowed hard. “Morning.”
She sat across from him, stirring her coffee absentmindedly. She needed to bring it up—gauge his reaction. But how?
Daniel beat her to it.
“So,” he said, setting his cup down, “how’s Ryder?”
Her stomach dropped.
Sylvia forced herself to meet his gaze. “What?”
He chuckled. “You were with him last night, weren’t you?”
The way he said it was casual, but the edge was there—sharp as a blade hidden in silk.
Sylvia’s fingers tightened around her mug. “I was with my friends.”
Daniel’s smile didn’t falter. “Of course you were.”
A tense silence stretched between them. The only sound was the quiet hum of the coffee machine.
Then, as if he hadn’t just implied the worst, Daniel stood, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “I have a meeting. See you tonight?”
She nodded, her body stiff.
“Good girl.”
With that, he grabbed his keys and left.
As soon as the door shut, Sylvia exhaled shakily.
Daniel was playing a game. He wanted her to know that he knew—but he wasn’t showing his cards yet.
And that terrified her more than if he had exploded in rage.
Her phone vibrated on the table. She snatched it up.
Unknown Number: You don’t have much time.
Sylvia’s breath caught.
Me: Who are you?
No response.
A second later, another message popped up.
Unknown Number: Watch your back.
Sylvia’s hands shook as she placed the phone down.
Whoever was sending these messages wasn’t just watching her.
They were waiting for something.
And she had no idea what it was.
- Writer
