Married to the wrong billionaire

The Unknown caller

The morning came earlier than Elena expected.

Sunlight slipped through the curtains, falling across the room and gently pulling her from sleep.

For a few seconds, she simply stared at the ceiling.

Then reality returned.

She was married.

Elena sat up slowly.

She still couldn't believe how quickly her life had changed.

Yesterday, she had been preparing to attend her sister's wedding.

Today, she was the wife of Andrew Carter.

She let out a small sigh.

"Well," she murmured, pushing the blankets aside. "I guess I better get used to it."

She got dressed and walked downstairs.

The house was quiet.

Too quiet.

Elena looked around the living room.

Andrew wasn't there.

She checked the kitchen.

Empty.

Then she noticed a folded piece of paper on the counter.

She picked it up.

I'm at work. I'll be back late. — Andrew

Elena stared at the note.

She smiled faintly.

At least he had bothered to tell her.

She placed the note back on the counter.

For the first time, she realized something.

She didn't actually know anything about Andrew's daily life.

She knew he was wealthy.

She knew he was serious.

She knew he was difficult to talk to.

But that was about it.

What did he like?

What did he dislike?

What did he do when he wasn't working?

She knew almost nothing about the man she had married.

Elena shook her head.

"One thing at a time."

She decided to make breakfast.

While she was eating, her phone buzzed.

She glanced at the screen.

An unknown number.

Elena frowned.

She opened the message.

Hello, Elena.

She stared at it.

Who was this?

She typed a reply.

Who is this?

The message was read almost immediately.

But there was no response.

Elena waited.

Nothing.

She shrugged and placed the phone beside her plate.

Probably someone's wrong number.

A few minutes later, the phone buzzed again.

Her smile disappeared.

I'm sorry I left you to deal with this alone.

Elena's fingers froze around the phone.

Her heart began beating faster.

There was only one person who could say that.

She typed with trembling hands.

Serena?

Three dots appeared.

Then disappeared.

Appeared again.

Finally, a message came through.

Yes.

Elena stood so quickly that the chair scraped against the floor.

"Serena..."

Her eyes immediately filled with tears.

For hours, she had wondered where her sister was.

Whether she was safe.

Whether something had happened to her.

She quickly pressed the call button.

The phone rang.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Someone answered.

Elena couldn't speak at first.

Then she whispered,

"Serena?"

Silence.

"Serena, where are you?"

Nothing.

"Please. Just tell me you're safe."

A faint breath came through the phone.

Then Serena finally spoke.

"Elena..."

Her voice sounded different.

Tired.

Frightened.

Elena's heart tightened.

"Where are you?"

"I can't tell you."

"Why?"

"Because I don't know who I can trust."

Elena frowned.

"What are you talking about?"

Serena didn't answer immediately.

Then she said quietly,

"How is Andrew treating you?"

Elena blinked.

"Andrew?"

"Yes."

"He's... fine."

Serena went silent.

"Why are you asking?"

"I just needed to know."

Elena gripped the phone tighter.

"Serena, you disappeared on your wedding day. Mom is terrified. Dad is furious. Everyone thinks something terrible happened to you."

"I know."

"Then come home."

"I can't."

"Why?"

"I just can't, Elena."

Her voice cracked.

Elena felt a painful knot form in her chest.

"Did someone hurt you?"

"No."

"Are you in trouble?"

Another silence.

"Serena?"

"I have to go."

"No!" Elena said quickly. "Wait."

The line remained connected.

"Please don't disappear again."

For a moment, neither sister spoke.

Then Serena whispered,

"I'm sorry."

The call ended.

Elena stared at the screen.

She immediately called back.

The number was unreachable.

Her hands began to shake.

Why was Serena hiding?

And why had the first thing she asked about been Andrew?

Elena walked slowly toward the window.

Something wasn't right.

She could feel it.

But she didn't know what.

Her phone buzzed again.

Another message.

Elena looked down.

Her breath caught.

Don't tell anyone I contacted you.

She stared at the words.

Then another message appeared.

Especially not Andrew.

Elena's heart sank.

She looked toward the front door.

For some reason, she suddenly felt like someone was watching her.

She quickly locked her phone.

Then she heard the sound of a car pulling into the driveway.

Elena froze.

A few seconds later, the front door opened.

Andrew walked inside.

He removed his jacket and looked toward the kitchen.

His eyes landed on Elena.

"You're awake."

Elena nodded.

"Yes."

Andrew studied her face.

Something was different.

She looked nervous.

"Are you okay?"

Elena hesitated.

She almost told him.

Almost.

Then she remembered Serena's message.

Especially not Andrew.

"I'm fine," she said.

Andrew's eyes remained on her for another second.

Then he nodded.

"Good."

He walked past her.

Elena watched him disappear into the hallway.

She looked down at her phone.

Her sister was alive.

Her sister was hiding.

And for reasons Elena couldn't understand...

Serena didn't want Andrew to know she had contacted her.

Elena slowly sat down.

For the first time since her wedding, she wondered if she had walked into something much bigger than a marriage she never expected.