MY HUSBAND MUST NOT KNOW

The night was unusually silent. Only the faint glow of streetlights slipped through the curtains of Dora’s apartment, painting long shadows across the empty hall. The door creaked open. Dora staggered inside. Her heels dragged lazily against the tiled floor as she struggled to maintain balance. The smell of alcohol surrounded her heavily. Her mascara had smudged beneath her eyes, and her once-perfect hair now looked messy and neglected. She leaned against the wall for support and laughed bitterly to herself. “God… cheers to you,” she muttered drunkenly. Her laughter echoed through the lonely apartment before slowly fading into tears. She tossed her handbag onto the couch and collapsed onto the floor. “How do I explain this to him?” she whispered painfully. “God… please save me from this humiliation.” Her trembling fingers reached for the wine bottle beside her. But her mind was no longer in the room. It drifted backward… FLASHBACK Inside John’s Car – Earlier That Night Rain tapped softly against the windshield. Dora sat stiffly in the passenger seat, her face filled with fear and frustration. Beside her, John gripped the steering wheel tightly, his jaw tense. “John,” Dora said quietly, struggling to hold back tears, “I’m sorry… but we can’t be together. And I mean it. We can never be together.” John stared at her in disbelief. “So what do we do now?” he asked coldly. “Because I cannot allow another man to raise my child.” Dora turned sharply toward him. “Please don’t even go there,” she snapped. “I beg you.” John’s eyes darkened. “I think it’s time we involve your so-called fiancé in this matter.” Dora froze instantly. “What?” Her voice trembled violently. “Please… no. John, don’t do this. I’m begging you.” But John remained silent. And somehow, that silence terrified her more than anger. BACK TO PRESENT Dora’s Apartment Dora raised the wine bottle again with shaky hands. But before she could drink, the bottle slipped from her fingers and shattered across the floor. “Ahh!” A sharp piece of glass sliced through her hand instantly. Blood streamed down her fingers. Dora stared blankly at it as though she could no longer feel pain. Suddenly, the apartment door burst open. “Hey girl—” Angela stopped mid-sentence. Her eyes widened in horror. “Oh my God! Dora!” She rushed toward her immediately. “What is happening here?!” Angela knelt beside her friend, carefully lifting her from the floor. “Are you trying to kill yourself?” she cried. Dora said nothing. Her eyes were empty. Angel carried her to the bedroom, cleaned her up and laid her in bed.