By the time I got home, it was already 10:00 a.m.

"Welcome back, Mrs. Blackwood," Maria greeted.

"Thank you. Has Alexander returned?" I asked.

"No, ma’am. I thought you would return together."

"Never mind," I said casually and headed upstairs.

Since I hadn’t fully recovered, I stayed in bed all day, with lunch brought up to my room.

By evening, as I lay scrolling through my phone, a message popped up from Sophie.

Sophie: Alicia, want to go shopping tomorrow? It’s Sunday.

I hadn’t been shopping in a while, and with the new season’s collections coming in, I figured I might not have time later.

Me: Sure. What time?

Sophie: 11 a.m. at the new mall near your office.

Me: Sounds good. Will Sandra be there?

Sophie: No, she’s been really busy lately.

Me: Alright. See you tomorrow.

Since I’d been lying down all day, I decided to go downstairs and watch TV while waiting for dinner.

As I descended the stairs, I heard Maria speaking to someone.

Then I saw him.

Alexander.

"You’re here," I said casually.

"Yes." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

I didn’t wait for him to say anything else. I walked past him and sat on the couch, turning on the TV.

Lately, TV had become my escape.

After a moment, I felt his gaze burning into me. I turned.

He was still standing there, watching me.

"Do you need anything?" I asked, frowning.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

I let out a small scoff. "Do I look sick?"

Yesterday, when I needed him, he wasn’t there. So why the sudden concern now?

"I don’t know... you just look pale."

"I’m fine," I said, turning back to the TV.

After a while, I heard his footsteps retreat upstairs.

Dinner was soon served.

As I approached the dining table, I saw Alexander coming downstairs, dressed casually. A few strands of hair fell over his forehead, and the light stubble on his jaw made him look unexpectedly youthful.

We sat and ate in silence.

Suddenly, he served me a bowl of tomato soup.

"Thank you," I said quietly.

Then something crossed my mind.

"The bracelet... I can’t find it. I left it in the car."

Alexander paused, his expression tightening slightly.

"...Lilian liked it."

A dull ache spread through my chest, but I forced a smile.

"It’s fine. I don’t need it. If she likes it, she can have it."

After all... I could let her have my husband. What was a bracelet compared to that?

"Next time, I’ll buy you another," he added softly.

"No need," i said.

I lowered my head and continued eating.

The atmosphere grew heavy with tension.

Alexander’s POV

I watched her quietly as she ate, taking small, careful bites.

After finishing her soup, she set down her spoon.

" I’ll head upstairs."

"Mm," I replied.

It was all I could manage.

Something about her felt... different.

Off.

After dinner, I returned to the master bedroom. Then something occurred to me. I pulled out my wallet and took out a black card.

Opening the door, I called out—

"Alicia, you—"

My words died in my throat.

The room was empty.

I stepped inside slowly, my gaze sweeping across the space.

It felt... different.

Barer.

A lot of Alicia’s things were gone.

How hadn’t I noticed earlier?

Looking closer, it became clear.

Her personal belongings were missing.

Had she moved out of the master bedroom again? But why?

I thought we had already agreed on this... so what changed?

A sudden unease gripped my chest.

Before I knew it, I had already stormed out of the room, calling her name as I checked the guest rooms one after another—completely unaware of how much I was overreacting.

"Alicia!"

The first guest room was dark.

Empty.

The second room—

The same.