Chapter Three: Lost in Deceit

Isabella continued to sift through the contents of the envelope, her heart sank with each new discovery. Photographs, scattered like broken fragments of a shattered mirror, she picked up the one that stood out the most, lo and behold, her loving husband in the company of a mysterious woman, she couldn't make out her face because of the nose mask she had on, their faces alight with laughter and affection, with a smiling child sitting in-between them, great example of a happy family.

For a year, she hasn't seen her husband smile so heartily. He spends extra time in the office and more time in his study than the bedroom, unscheduled meeting with staffs and consequent meetings with stakeholders that requires him to travel for weeks. At first it didn't strike her as something to bother about, he is the CEO of a big company and probably just trying to sign new deals and broaden his horizon, she would tell herself, making up excuses for him in her mind. Six month passed and he just seems to be more absent, she had a feeling he's been avoiding her but everytime she tried talking about the rift growing between them, he smiled like it's nothing and kiss her forehead, hurrying out the door before she could debate the topic.

The truth unfurled like a poisonous vine, entwining itself around her heart, Isabella realized that she stood on the precipice of a new reality, one where trust was a fragile illusion and love a fleeting mirage. The air in the room grew heavy with the weight of her conflicting emotions. The whole world seems to be closing in on her. She clutched onto her chest with pain while hot tears streamed down her face. How could she have been so blind, so naive to the truth that had been lurking beneath the surface of their seemingly perfect marriage? How could she have not noticed when the red flags started popping? Was she really dumb or just clueless? So many questions but no answer.

Despite the glaring evidence in front of her, she's still in doubt, utmost shock and disbelief written over her features as she paced around waiting for Alexander's return.