Chapter One: The Day Everything Changed
770 Words
The Cross residence was unusually quiet.
The house stood tall against the fading evening sky, every corner carrying memories that six years of marriage had left behind. It wasn’t just a house,,it was the dream Isla Howard and Damien Cross had built together. Every paycheck, every sacrifice, every late-night discussion had gone into creating the place they proudly called home.
At twenty-five, Isla Howard believed she had everything she had ever dreamed of.
A successful career at Cross Corporation, where she worked alongside her husband.
A beautiful home.
And a husband she loved with every piece of her heart.
She glanced at the clock hanging on the kitchen wall.
8:47 p.m.
A soft sigh escaped her lips.
“Demi is late again…”
She smiled to herself despite the disappointment.
Being the CEO of one of the country’s fastest-growing companies wasn’t easy. Meetings ran late. Emergencies happened.
That was what she always told herself.
The aroma of creamy garlic pasta filled the kitchen as she stirred the sauce with practiced hands. It was Damien’s favorite meal.
No matter how busy he became, Isla never stopped waiting for him.
She picked up her phone and typed a quick message.
Dinner’s ready. Come home safely, Demi. ❤️
The message remained unread.
She placed the phone down and continued cooking.
Her eyes drifted toward the dining table.
Two plates.
Two wine glasses.
Exactly as she had arranged them every night for the last six years.
Lately…
Things had changed.
Damien came home later than usual.
Their wedding anniversary dinner had been canceled because of another “important meeting.”
He smiled less.
Talked less.
Even his phone never left his hand anymore.
Sometimes, he would leave the room just to answer a call.
For a fleeting moment, doubt crept into Isla’s mind.
Then she immediately shook her head.
“No…”
She smiled bitterly.
“I’m just overthinking.”
Demi would never hurt me.
Never.
A notification lit up her phone.
Busy. Don’t wait for me.
That was all.
No heart.
No “I’m sorry.”
No “I love you.”
Just three cold words.
She stared at the message for several seconds before locking her phone.
“It’s okay…”
She whispered to herself.
“I’ll wait.”
Because no matter how late he was, she still believed he would come home to her.
They waited.
The sound of the front door echoed through the silent house.
A smile instantly spread across Isla’s face.
“Finally…”
She grabbed a wine glass and walked toward the living room.
“Demi?”
Her footsteps stopped.
Everything around her seemed to freeze.
Standing at the entrance was Damien Cross.
Beside him…
A young blonde woman wearing a breathtaking white wedding gown.
Their fingers intertwined.
A sparkling wedding band rested on the woman’s hand.
Isla blinked once.
Twice.
Then she laughed.
“…Very funny.”
Her eyes landed on Damien’s left hand.
The silver wedding ring she had placed on his finger six years ago…
Was still there.
Relief washed over her.
“This has to be a prank…”
Damien looked at her without the slightest emotion.
“It’s not.”
Silence.
He took one step forward.
“Meet my wife.”
For a heartbeat, Isla forgot how to breathe.
Four simple words were enough to destroy six years of love.
The smile disappeared from Isla’s face.
“…What?”
“I married Eva today.”
The wine glass slipped from her trembling fingers.
Crash.
Red wine spread across the white marble floor like fresh blood.
Isla couldn’t breathe.
Couldn’t think.
Couldn’t even blink.
She looked at Damien again.
Waiting…
Praying…
For him to laugh.
To tell her it was all a joke.
He never did.
Instead, his cold voice filled the room once more.
You’ll accept this sooner or later. So don’t create unnecessary drama.
Behind him stood Liam, Damien’s executive assistant.
His head remained lowered.
His fists clenched tightly at his sides.
He knew.
He had known all along.
Yet he couldn’t bring himself to meet Isla’s eyes.
She slowly looked back at Damien.
Then at the wedding ring still resting on his finger.
Her voice came out as nothing more than a whisper.
“…You’re still wearing my ring.”
For the first time that night…
Damien glanced down at his own hand.
His expression didn’t change.
“I forgot to take it off.”
Something inside Isla shattered.
Not her heart.
Not her marriage.
Her soul.
Outside, the city carried on as though nothing had happened.
Inside the Cross residence, six years of love died in complete silence.
- Writer
