Chapter 1

“Can’t wait to see you tomorrow.” The message flashed on Nathan’s phone screen, and my heart sank.

I stared at it, frozen. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe it was work. I told myself that, again and again. But the words didn’t change.

My hands trembled as I placed the phone back on the table.

Nathan wasn’t here to explain. He was away on another business trip. Just like he always was these days.

I sat on the couch, staring at the rain outside. The living room felt cold and empty without him. I’d always thought our life together was perfect. Five years of marriage. Laughter, love, and trust.

But now, doubt crept in. Little moments I’d ignored before came rushing back. The late-night phone calls. The sudden “meetings” kept him out until midnight. The way he pulled away when I tried to ask questions.

Was I imagining things? Or had I just been blind?

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. “Stop overthinking,” I whispered to myself. “It’s probably nothing.”

The sound of the rain was broken by the buzz of my phone. I grabbed it quickly, hoping it was Nathan. But it was just Mia, my best friend.

“Hey,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Sienna, are you okay?” she asked. Her tone was warm and comforting.

“I’m fine,” I lied. “Why?”

“You just sound... off. Is something wrong?”

I hesitated. “It’s nothing. Really.”

“Sienna,” Mia said firmly. “Talk to me.”

I sighed. “It’s Nathan. I saw a message on his phone. It said, ‘Can’t wait to see you tomorrow.’”

There was a pause. Then Mia’s voice softened. “Do you think he’s...?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “I don’t want to believe it.”

“Have you asked him about it?”

“No. Not yet. He’s not here. He’s on a trip.”

Mia sighed. “Sienna, you deserve the truth. Whatever it is.”

“I know,” I said quietly. “I just... I’m scared of what he might say.”

The next day, I busied myself with work, trying to ignore the gnawing doubt in my chest. But as the hours passed, the message played on repeat in my mind. I couldn’t focus. I couldn’t think.

When Nathan’s flight landed that evening, I was waiting for him at the door.

“Hey,” he said, smiling as he stepped inside. “You look... tense. Is everything okay?”

I forced a smile. “We need to talk.”

His expression shifted, but he nodded. “Alright. What’s on your mind?”

I took a deep breath. “Nothing much." I said as I began to smoothen the rough edges of his sit. He looked down at me with curiosity in his eyes. Yes, there was a lot on my mind but I did not think he needed to know exactly what was on my mind.

Thoughts like, Who is she? How long it has been going on and if he had any idea that I knew or if he simply doesn't care.

Nathan blinked. “Earth to Sienna, what are you thinking about? Are you okay?"

"Yes, baby, I am. I was just thinking how about we have the whole weekend to ourselves, just you and I, no work, no calls, no friends, what do you thi..."

His phone began to ring which distracted him because he kept looking at the screen of his phone.

"Hmm, baby, can I pick this call?"

I rolled my eyes as I let go of him slowly.

"I promise as soon as I am done, we will talk all you want."

I watched his retreating back as he spoke in a semi hushed voice to the person on the other end and when it seemed like it would take forever, I went on to another thing but he soon came back and kissed me on the cheeks.

"I really have to attend to something at work. I know I promised we would talk but when I return, yeah?"

I had no choice.

He was probably going to see the other woman again. I had the strong urge to follow him to see where he was going but somewhere within me, I was scared what I would find out and if I would be able to live with it.

I was starting to get very restless as I heard the sound of his car out out of the driveway. That night, I lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling. I did not even realize when I slept off. I just woke in the middle of the night to see Nathan snoring softly beside me. I looked at his pretty face with a strand of his dark hair falling over his face. This was the man I had fallen in love with, blindly. I would have seen this coming sooner if I had not loved him so much, I tried to console myself with that thought. My mind raced with questions I didn’t want to answer.

The rain tapped against the window, matching the rhythm of my restless thoughts. I knew I couldn’t ignore this. I couldn’t pretend everything was fine.

The truth was out there. I just had to find it.

The morning came too quickly. Nathan left early for work before I could wake up again, and I was alone with my thoughts again. The house was quiet, but my mind was anything but. I replayed our conversation over and over, dissecting every word, every pause.

By midday, I couldn’t take it anymore. I picked up my phone and called Mia. She answered on the first ring.

“Sienna, what happened?” she asked, her voice filled with concern.

“He said it’s not what I think,” I said, pacing the living room. “But he wouldn’t explain. He just... shut down.”

Mia sighed. “That doesn’t sound good.”

“I don’t know what to do,” I admitted. “I want to believe him, but...”

“But the message,” Mia finished for me. “It doesn’t add up.”

“Exactly.”

“Sienna, you need to talk to him again,” she said. “Make him tell you the truth.”

“I’ll try,” I said, though I wasn’t sure I believed it myself.

That evening, Nathan came home later than usual. He looked tired, but his eyes softened when he saw me.

“Hi,” he said, leaning in to kiss my cheek. I turned away.

I did not want to jump straight into that discussion of hours. Maybe I just needed to spend more time with him to make him realize he was making a big mistake or even something else.

"Didn't see you come in last night."

"Yeah, and I had to leave early again this morning, work, getting too stressful lately." He replied as I handed him a cup of coffee."

"I do remember you said we have something to talk about. We can talk now." He added.

"I was actually thinking seems you seem so stressed from work lately, how about we sped the weekend on a small vacation. I can make all the plans and..."

His annoying phone began to ring again and I fought the urge to slam my palms on the kitchen counter in anger.

"I am sooo sorry babe but I do agree to your idea of a vacation, just that now is not a good time." He got up from the table, took a small sip from his cup again and began to head out."

"I promise you we will talk about it as soon as I am back.

He stopped and began to look for something in his pocket, his face moved up to the table that he had just left.

The room was silent, the tension thick. His phone buzzed on the table. We both stared at it. The screen lit up with a new message: "I can't wait to see you again."

Chapter 2

“So, Nathan’s still the perfect husband, huh?” Mia teased, swirling her wine glass.

The table burst into laughter. I forced a smile, though my stomach churned.

“Perfect is a strong word,” I said lightly, pushing my salad around the plate. “But he’s... great.”

“Oh, come on,” Mia continued. “He’s got the looks, the charm, and he’s loaded. What’s not to love?”

I laughed weakly, but the message from his phone echoed in my mind. My appetite vanished.

“Sienna?” Mia’s voice pulled me back. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” I said quickly. “Just tired. Work’s been crazy.”

Mia sneered. “Or maybe Nathan’s been keeping you up all night.”

The table breaks out in cheers and teasing. I smiled faintly, my mind elsewhere.

That night, I couldn’t sleep. The sheets felt cold despite Nathan’s warmth beside me. He’d fallen asleep almost instantly, his breathing steady and calm. I envied his peace.

My thoughts raced. The message, his reaction, the way he dismissed my questions—none of it made sense. Was I being paranoid? Or was there something he wasn’t telling me?

I turned to look at him, his face relaxed in sleep. He looked so innocent, so trustworthy. But my heart didn’t feel at ease.

I grabbed my phone and opened the messages again. The words stared back at me, mocking me. Who was she? And why couldn’t I let it go?

The next morning, Nathan was cheerful, as if nothing had happened.

“Morning, love,” he said, kissing my forehead. “Sleep okay?”

I forced a smile. “Fine. You?”

“Like a rock,” he said with a grin. “What’s on your agenda today?”

“Just work,” I said, pouring coffee. “You?”

“Meetings all day,” he said. “But I’ll try to be home for dinner.”

“Try?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He laughed. “You know how it is. Clients can be unpredictable.”

I nodded, sipping my coffee. The doubt lingered, but I didn’t press further.

At work, I tried to focus, but my mind kept drifting. Every time my phone buzzed, I jumped, half-expecting another cryptic message. By lunchtime, I was a wreck.

Mia called during her break. “How are you holding up?”

“Barely,” I admitted. “I can’t stop thinking about it.”

“Did he say anything this morning?” she asked.

“No,” I said. “He acted like everything’s fine.”

“Maybe it is,” Mia said gently. “But if it’s bothering you this much, you need to talk to him again.”

“I know,” I said, sighing. “I just don’t know how to bring it up without sounding crazy.”

“You’re not crazy,” Mia said firmly. “You’re his wife. You have every right to ask questions.”

Her words gave me a sliver of courage, but the unease remained.

That evening, Nathan called to say he’d be late. “Sorry, love,” he said. “Client dinner ran long.”

“It’s fine,” I said, keeping my voice even. “See you when you get home.”

The line went dead, and I stared at my reflection in the window. The house felt too big, too quiet. I decided to call Mia and ask her to come over.

She arrived half an hour later, a bottle of wine in hand. “Emergency girls’ night,” she declared, plopping onto the couch. “What’s going on?”

I hesitated, then showed her the message on Nathan’s phone.

Mia frowned. “That’s... not great.”

“I know,” I said. “But what if it’s innocent? What if I’m blowing this out of proportion?”

“And what if you’re not?” she countered. “Sienna, you need answers.”

We talked for hours, dissecting every detail of Nathan’s behaviour. By the time she left, I felt a little more grounded but no closer to the truth.

Nathan came home around midnight. I pretended to be asleep, listening as he moved around the room. He paused near the bed, and I felt his gaze on me. My heart raced, but I kept my breathing steady.

Finally, he climbed into bed, and the tension in my chest eased. But sleep didn’t come easily.

The weekend arrived, and we had dinner plans with friends. I debated cancelling but decided against it. Maybe being around other people would help.

The restaurant was lively, the air filled with laughter and the clinking of glasses. Nathan was his usual charming self, cracking jokes and making everyone laugh. I tried to relax, but the doubt gnawed at me.

“Nathan, you’re such a catch,” one friend said, winking at me. “Sienna’s lucky to have you.”

“I’m the lucky one,” Nathan said, smiling at me. His words were sweet, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that they were hollow.

Mia caught my eye, her expression concerned. I gave her a small nod, signalling that I was okay. But I wasn’t.

That night, as we got ready for bed, I decided to bring it up again.

“Nathan, can we talk?” I asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Sure,” he said, unbuttoning his shirt. “What’s on your mind?”

I hesitated, then said, “The message. It’s still bothering me.”

He sighed, sitting beside me. “Sienna, I’ve already told you. It’s nothing.”

“But it doesn’t feel like nothing,” I said quietly. “I just... I need to know the truth.”

Nathan took my hand, his expression softening. “I love you, Sienna. You’re the only woman in my life. Please believe that.”

I searched his eyes, looking for any hint of deception. “Okay,” I said finally, though my doubts remained.

The next day, I met Mia for coffee. She listened as I recounted the conversation.

“Do you believe him?” she asked.

“I want to,” I said. “But something still feels off.”

Mia nodded. “Trust your gut, Sienna. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.”

Her words stayed with me as I went about my day. By the time I got home, I’d made a decision. I was going to find out the truth, no matter what.

As I searched Nathan’s desk for clues, my phone buzzed with a new message. It was from an unknown number: Stop digging. You won’t like what you find.

Chapter 3

I stood stunned on the spot as I became dumb the moment I read the message. It replayed again in my head, and I almost lost my balance until I heard the door open.

I stared at the screen, my mind racing. Was this a warning? A threat? My resolve to uncover the truth wavered for a moment, but then I remembered the hollow promises Nathan had made. I couldn’t let fear hold me back now.

“Hi, what are you doing here?“ Nathan's Voice dragged me back to reality and I was lost for words.

“Hmm…“ I shuttered. “I was trying to clean your desk and rearrange everything.” I later gave an excuse, but it seemed Nathan wasn't buying the idea. “You are a grown-up man for goodness sake, you shouldn't mess your things like this”

“I'm sorry love, I need to freshen up”

That was his last word before he left me without any backward glance. Here I am again with silence as my friend. From work to the bedroom and from there back to work, that's how Nathan had been living this day.

My mind drifted back to the message, and I became helpless. How did this happen? Is there someone who knows my plan and is aware of everything?

Who could that be?

I was still in a daze when my phone rang, and I flinched. It's no other person than Mia; she now calls from time to time since I told her about the message.

“Hi, girl! Have you gotten any leads?“ Mia asked. I sighed. It has become scary to me now that I was asked about it.

Summoning the courage within me, I recounted everything that happened.

“Holy shit! What?” Mia exclaimed. I could imagine the look on her face right now, she was full of surprises. “ What are we going to do now?”

That question from Mia made my heart race, and I couldn't imagine myself doing something at that moment. “I'm confused. I don't know what to do” I blunt out as tears brim in my eyes.

“Just hold in! Everything will be fine! You don't have to become so weak,” Mia comforted me. I felt a little strength but my mind isn't at rest.

The phone disconnected after a little chat, and I couldn't help but sigh continuously.

The following days were a blur of internal conflict and unease. I was constantly on edge, scrutinizing Nathan’s every word and action. His phone remained locked, and he rarely left it unattended. I felt like I was living in a world of shadows, trying to piece together a puzzle with missing pieces.

One evening, Nathan suggested we take a weekend trip to the mountains. “Just the two of us,” he said, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

That evening, I wanted to ask him and demand the truth, but I had to hold myself back.

I forced a smile, the thought of a trip sounded good, but my instincts screamed at me. “What about your work?” I asked, trying to sound casual. Since there is someone who can't wait to see him at work.

“Just a couple of meetings, I can manage it. Trust me,” he said, his eagerness palpable.

He seems strange. A man who is always busy with work without having my time suddenly comes up with a trip plan. Right from the threat message that I received and Nathan's sudden idea, I sensed something off.

I nodded, though hesitation gnawed at me. What if this trip was just another way to distract me? Or worse, a chance for him to meet another one? But deep down, I also longed for a moment of peace, a break from the chaos in my mind.

If the trip was genuine, maybe my heart would ease the troubles that I felt while trying to keep everything in place.

That Friday, we packed our bags and drove up to the cabin. The air turned crisp as we entered the forest, the towering trees surrounding us like silent sentinels. Nathan was upbeat, chatting about the views and the hiking trails, but I remained calm.

As we settled into the cabin, I noticed Nathan’s phone left behind on the kitchen counter. My heart raced. Should I take a look? Just a glance, I told myself. I needed to know.

My curiosity is getting out of hand, and I can't even control the urge that I feel.

I approached the counter cautiously, my pulse quickening. I picked up the phone, glancing over my shoulder to make sure Nathan was still outside. The screen was locked, but I noticed a picture notification from a group chat. The name “Jessica” popped up. My breath caught in my throat.

Just then, I heard the door creak open. Panic surged through me, and I quickly tossed the phone back onto the counter. “Hey, Sienna! Come check out this view!” Nathan called, his voice echoing down the hallway.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I quickly forced a smile and nodded in response. "Sure." Even though the cool breeze landed on my skin, I couldn't stop sweating, and my hands trembled. I'm afraid that Nathan will figure things out at this point.

"What happened to you? Are you okay?" Nathan touched my temple and examined my temperature. "Are you having fever? Why are you sweating a lot?"

With the look in his eyes, he seemed to care about me, but my heart kept saying otherwise. "I'm fine, you don't need to worry about it."

"Of course not! You are not fine! I need to get you medication!" He held my hand and felt it. "See! Your hand is trembling! It seems your nervous system is having issues! I will call the health center and request assistance." With that, He stood without giving me the chance to object.

"You don't have..." My words remain trapped in my throat as I watch his retreating figure.

Why did he care so much?

Is it true love or not?