Shocking Truth.

Alexandra's POV.

I took the last step into the room, letting out a deep sigh as my shoulders slumped. Exhaustion clung to me like a second skin, but it wasn’t just from the long day—it was from everything, from the weight of emotions I had been carrying for months.

“He isn’t here,” I muttered under my breath, the lump in my throat growing thicker.

Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out my phone and dialed my cousin, Theresa’s number. The call barely had a chance to ring before she picked up.

“Home already?” Theresa’s voice was soft, and casual, as if she wasn’t expecting anything unusual.

I nodded instinctively, even though she couldn’t see me. “Yes, I’m home, but he isn’t here. Asher didn’t come home again,” I whispered, my voice breaking.

Tears welled up, blurring my vision, and no matter how hard I tried to blink them away, they refused to retreat.

“Calm down, Sandra,” Theresa said gently, but her words didn’t help.

I sniffled, trying to keep my emotions in check, but the tears won. They trickled down my face, warm and relentless, carrying with them all the frustration, confusion, and silent heartbreak I had bottled up for so long.

“It’s been like this for months, Theresa,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper as if saying it any louder would make the reality of it even heavier.

“Maybe he’s just late. He’ll be home soon. He just got off work, remember?” Theresa's voice was cautious, almost hesitant, as though she was being careful of what she said.

I could tell she wasn’t alone. Her voice was slightly muffled like she was trying to keep quiet because someone was near.

Realizing this, I swallowed my pain and forced myself to not burden her any further. “Okay, Theresa, I really hope he comes. I’ll just wait for him,” I said, my voice barely stable.

“Okay, Sandra. He will surely come,” she assured me, but I barely believed it.

Then I heard it—a soft giggling, followed by a low, playful whisper.

“Stop,” Theresa muttered between giggles, her voice tinged with amusement.

Then a deeper voice followed. “I want you now. Drop the call.”

My stomach twisted.

I sighed, suddenly feeling like I was intruding on a moment that wasn’t meant for me. A moment filled with warmth, affection… the kind I had been craving for so long but hadn’t received.

“Goodnight, Theresa,” I said hurriedly, pulling the phone away from my ear before she could respond.

My legs felt weak as I crouched down at the back of Asher’s door, hugging my knees to my chest, resting my chin on them as I tried—really tried—to hold back my tears.

“What exactly is wrong, Asher?” I whispered into the silence, my voice fragile and broken.

Asher Sinclair, my husband.

The only man I had ever truly loved, the person I cherished above all else. The man who, once upon a time, couldn’t go a single night without touching me, holding me, whispering that he needed me as much as I needed him.

But now? Now, it had been six months. Six long, agonizing months of coldness, of distance, of him barely coming home, and when he did, he was like ice—emotionless and detached, almost as if I no longer existed to him.

Where had things gone wrong?

I let out a soft, choked sob, pressing my forehead against the door.

Was I no longer enough for him? Had I done something to drive him away? What was I missing?

“I have to ask him,” I murmured, steeling myself. I deserved to know. Two and a half years of marriage had been beautiful, perfect even… until these last six months, which had felt like living with a stranger.

I took a slow breath, trying to steady the storm of thoughts in my mind. I rested my head back against the door, memories of us flooding my mind—memories of a time when he used to look at me with nothing but love and desire.

But then my breath hitched.

The voice.

“I want you now. Drop the call.”

Something about it gnawed at me, stirring an unease I couldn’t ignore.

No.

It couldn’t be.

It was just similar. Just a coincidence.

I let out a breathy chuckle, shaking my head at the absurdity of the thought. There was no way. It was impossible.

Right?

Then why did my stomach twist in knots?

“No!” I gasped, my hands running through my hair, gripping at the strands as I tried to push the thought away.

But I couldn’t.

I shot up from the floor, my heart pounding in my chest.

I needed to know.

With shaky hands, I grabbed my car keys and rushed out of the house. The air outside was cold, but I barely felt it. My mind was too clouded, my thoughts too chaotic.

Theresa.

I had to get to Theresa’s house.

The drive felt like a blur, my fingers tightening around the steering wheel as I pushed the car faster than I ever had before.

By the time I reached her estate, my heart was hammering against my ribs so hard I thought it might break free.

I stepped into her apartment, the place I had been just hours ago. But now, everything felt different—the air itself felt heavier and suffocating.

My feet moved instinctively toward her bedroom door.

Then I heard it.

Laughter and soft moans.

Making me I froze.

My hand hovered over the doorknob, hesitation gripping me.

It could be Theresa and her boyfriend. I didn’t want to intrude.

But then, a chilling realization settled over me.

Theresa had no boyfriend.

She hadn’t been with anyone since she ended things months ago. She would have told me if she had found someone new.

My fingers tightened around the doorknob.

I twisted it slowly.

The door creaked open without a sound.

And then—

My world shattered.

There, tangled in the sheets, completely lost in each other, were the two people I trusted the most.

Asher and Theresa together.

My body went cold and my ears rang. I couldn’t hear my own heartbeat anymore.

The air left my lungs as I stumbled back a step, my vision blurring—not from tears, but from the sheer shock of it.

Asher turned first, his body still half-hovering over her, his expression shifting from pleasure to sheer horror.

Theresa followed, her eyes widening as she yanked the sheets up to cover herself.

But it was too late.

I had seen enough.

“This… this can’t be true,” I whispered, my voice trembling.

But their faces told me everything.

It was true.

Every single bit of it.