Chapter 2
1126 Words
Isla’s POV
Theo became the man I used to know again.
He guided me to the vanity, his hands gentle on my shoulders. "Sit. Let me."
I sat.
He picked up my hairdryer, running his fingers through my wet hair first, testing the weight of it. The warm air started, and he worked methodically.
"You're tense," Theo murmured, his fingers working into my shoulders. "Long day?"
"Something like that."
"Want to talk about it?" His hands moved to my neck.
"Just tired." I watched him in the mirror. His face was soft with concentration. "You?"
"Exhausting. But worth it." He smiled at my reflection. "The Tokyo deal is almost done. After this, we can take that trip you wanted. Maybe Santorini? You've been saying you want to go."
"Maybe," I said.
His hand slipped into his pocket, and when it emerged, there was a velvet box. Like a magic trick.
"I have something for you," he said. "I saw it and thought of you immediately. Couldn't wait to give it to you."
He opened it. A necklace—delicate platinum chain, sapphire pendant catching the light.
"It's beautiful," I said.
"The sapphire matches your eyes." He lifted it from the box. "May I?"
He fastened it around my neck, his fingers lingering on my skin. In the mirror, we looked perfect. The kind of couple that belonged in magazine spreads about enduring love.
"Perfect," he murmured. "Just like you."
I touched the pendant. Cold against my skin. "You didn't have to."
"I wanted to." He kissed the top of my head. "You deserve everything."
He disappeared into the bathroom. The shower started, and I heard him humming, like a man without a care in the world.
A minute passed. Maybe two.
His phone screen lit up. Once. Twice. Messages coming in.
The bathroom door opened. Theo emerged in his towel, water still clinging to his shoulders.
He picked it up, and I watched his expression change.
He was scrolling now, his thumb moving slowly across the screen like he was savoring something.
"Your phone was buzzing," I said. "While you were in the shower."
His thumb stopped moving. "Work stuff."
"Must be urgent. It rang three times."
"Just the team confirming tomorrow's meeting." He set the phone on his nightstand, screen down.
I stood. Playing the game. "Are you sure? You looked worried."
"Worried?" He crossed the room, pulling me close. "Why would I be worried?"
"I don't know." I touched his chest, feeling his heartbeat. "You tell me."
He caught my hand, pressing it against his chest. "The only thing you'll find here is how much I love you. Nothing to worry about."
The scar under my fingertips felt like a reproach. This man had taken a bullet for me. Literally stepped between me and a gun.
His hands moved lower, finding the edge of the towel. "I missed you today."
"Theo." I caught his wrist. "I'm not feeling well. Just tired."
He studied my face, and for a moment, I thought I saw something real there. "You've been working too hard. It makes me jealous."
His phone buzzed again on the nightstand. He ignored it. It buzzed a second time.
"You should get that," I said. "It might be important."
"It can wait."
The third call came as he was kissing my neck. I felt him tense, felt the frustration rolling off him in waves.
I pulled back, giving him my most understanding smile. "Really, Theo. Go handle it. I'll be here when you're done."
"You're sure?" He was already reaching for his phone. "It'll just be a minute."
"Take your time."
He kissed my forehead—tender, apologetic—and disappeared into his study down the hall.
I waited until his voice faded down the hallway. Then I picked up my own phone.
Amanda had followed me on i********:. Recently. Probably today.
She wanted me to see. Needed me to know.
I opened her profile. The fireworks video was her latest post—uploaded an hour ago.
Blue chrysanthemums exploding against the twilight sky.
The caption read: "Some moments are worth celebrating ��✨ He knows exactly how to make me feel special. #Blessed #LuckyGirl"
I stared at the screen.
The same fireworks. The exact same ones I'd watched from the car window tonight.
I scrolled down. The comments on the fireworks post were already rolling in.
"OMG who is HE??" "You deserve all the happiness babe!" "Mystery man better be treating you right!"
Amanda had replied to that last one: "Oh, he treats me VERY right �� Trust me."
I clicked back to the fireworks video. Watched it again.
The camera panned slightly at the end, catching a man's silhouette. Tall. Broad shoulders. Wearing the dark coat I'd helped Theo pick out last month.
Turned out I was right. Someone was celebrating love.
Just not mine.
My husband's.
And his mistress was making damn sure I knew it.
I scrolled back. Months of carefully curated moments. Dinners at restaurants I'd suggested. Weekends in places that looked suspiciously like our properties. A selfie with cocktails, her hand positioned to show off a platinum chain.
I zoomed in.
The same necklace currently sitting against my collarbone.
The same f*****g necklace.
I looked at myself in the mirror, unclasping it and dropping it in the wastebasket. It hit the bottom with a soft clink that felt like punctuation.
I laughed. Actually laughed. The sound surprised me.
How had I been this blind?
Theo's footsteps in the hallway made me pause.
"Sorry about that." He slid back into bed beside me. "Crisis averted."
"Good." I turned toward him, letting him pull me close. "What kind of crisis?"
"Boring logistics. Nothing you need to worry about." His hand traced patterns on my shoulder. "Where were we?"
"You were telling me how much you missed me."
"I did. I do." He kissed my temple. "Every minute I'm not with you."
I closed my eyes. Let him hold me.
"Theo?"
"Mm?"
"If you ever..." I paused, choosing my words carefully. "If you ever betrayed me, I'd leave. You know that, right?"
His arms tightened around me. "That will never happen."
"But if it did."
"Isla." His voice was firm now. "I would never. You're my whole world. You know this."
"I know," I said softly. "I just wanted to hear you say it."
He relaxed. "I love you more than anything."
He fell asleep quickly, the way he always did when his conscience was clear.
I stayed awake, staring at the ceiling, his arm heavy across my waist.
After a while, I carefully slipped out from under his arm. He didn't stir.
I opened my laptop in the darkness. The contract was still there, cursor blinking.
I clicked confirm.
- Writer
