Unseen Ties

005- Cracks In The Facade

Clara still sat in the room, her cheek still stinging, her mind racing. Calling up the cops on James should have been the most logical option. But logic was merely simple when it came to family.

Ethan’s playful scenes flashed in her mind, the sweet innocence in his sights that hadn’t yet been impaired. He needed parental stability, a safe roof over his head, a life he could count on. If James was arrested by the cops—or worse, if Ethan witnessed the violence—what would happen to his mindset?

Then there were the gossips she imagined. The pitying peeks from neighbors, the whispers from colleagues, the wrong assumptions of strangers who don't know the stakes of a marriage turned sour. People always asked why women remained in a violent home, never really capturing the invisible lines.

Then the part of her she detested the most, the small, stubborn glimmer of hope that refused to die. The hope that maybe, just maybe, the man she’d fallen in love with was still there somehow, buried beneath the fury and the control, and someday—just someday—he will reconsider his behavior.

Her hands shaking as she pondered deeply. She figured out that she couldn’t keep living like this anymore. But leaving wasn’t as easy as walking out the door.

Not yet.

***

Sam adjusted the tip of her blouse as she stepped out of her car, her heart light with suspense. The midday rays reflected off the elegant office building ahead of her, and in her hand, she held the reservation card for La Ciel—a restaurant Daniel had always loved to try. Today was meant to be a quick surprise for Daniel… but instead he surprised her.

It had taken weeks to finally secure a table at the exclusive restaurant, and she could already picture Daniel’s shock when she told him she had planned a lunch date.

As she approached the parking lot, her smile faltered. Daniel’s car wasn’t there. A surge of disorder passed through her. Maybe he had parked in a different spot today? She pushed the thought aside, still heading inside.

Entering the lobby, Sam was welcomed by its usual modern elegance: glass walls, shiny floors, and the quiet hum of activities.

Behind the front desk sat Amanda, the building’s receptionist. The two ladies had met on several occasions, and Amanda greeted her with a warm smile.

“Dr. Taylor!” Amanda said, straightening in her seat. “What a lovely surprise.”

“Hi, Amanda,” Sam replied, her voice bright. “I’m here to see Daniel. I thought I’d steal him away for lunch.”

Amanda’s expression sputtered slightly, her smile dipping into something more doubtful. “Ohh,” she began, her tone tentative. “I’m sorry, but Mr. Taylor isn’t in today.”

Sam blinked, her heart skipping a beat. “Not in? That can’t be right. We left for work together this morning.”

Amanda paused, her brows knitting together in concern. “I see. Let me double-check for you.” She turned down to her computer, typing fast, her expression growing more confused by the second. Finally, she bucked up, her voice soft. “Well, according to my records, Mr. Daniel Taylor has been on personal leave for the past two days.”

“Personal leave?” The words felt unfamiliar in Sam’s mouth. “Are you sure? Because he’s been leaving the house like clockwork every morning.”

Amanda nodded slowly. “Yes, it’s documented here. He emailed his team earlier this week. He hasn’t checked in since then.”

For a moment, Sam could simply stare at Amanda, her sanity struggling to process the information. Two days? But Daniel had been leaving the house for work every new day. She could still remember him just that morning, passing a quick kiss to her forehead as he grabbed his briefcase.

Sam’s belly churned as the moment processed in her head. “I can't remember Daniel saying anything about an off day,” she mumbled, more to herself.

“Did he… mention why?” She asked to clear her uncertainty with an already strained voice.

Amanda nodded her head. “Not to me, but he might’ve told his direct supervisor and colleagues. I could ask around if you’d like.”

Sam managed a tight smile, though her thoughts were already spiraling. “No, that’s fine. Thank you, Amanda. I appreciate it.”

Amanda hesitated, as though contemplating whether to say more, but in the end, she simply nodded. “Of course. If there’s anything else you need, just let me know.” She headed back into her monitor.

Sam forced another casual smile. “Sure, have a nice day, Amanda,” she said weakly.

Turning toward the exit, she felt Amanda’s gaze follow her, a mix of curiosity and worry. Sam’s heels clicked sharply against the shiny floor as she made her way to the glass doors. The weather outside felt harsh to her skin, but it wasn't even a sunny day, the warmth doing little to dispel the chill settling in her chest.

Back in her car, Sam sat in silence, her hands resting on the steering wheel. She replayed the morning in her head: the way Daniel had kissed her goodbye, his familiar scent lingering as he smiled and promised, “See you tonight.”

She had always trusted him. There had never been a reason to doubt his words or his choices.

Until now.

Sam's head raced to different ideas just to dismiss the growing doubt. Maybe Amanda was mistaken. Maybe Daniel had a better reason for not being at work. But the image of his empty parking spot and Amanda’s quiet apology hung over in her mind.

The doubts that had been staring brave at her in the past few weeks suddenly looked larger. Daniel had seemed distant lately, but she didn’t even notice it. She had brushed it off as work stress, because she herself could relate well to it too.

But now?

Her intestines twisted as she considered the possibilities. Was he sick? No, if he were, I’d notice. Was he in trouble? Impossible, Daniel is a very calm personality. Or…

The thought hit her like a slap across the face.

DANIEL IS HAVING AN AFFAIR!