CHAPTER ONE- THE MASKED PARTY

ELLA'S POV

I sat on the edge of the bed, my fingers trembling as I held his phone. The explicit text messages stared back at me, each word cutting into my chest like a knife. The pictures, too, left little to the imagination. I couldn’t believe this. Again. How many times had I ignored the signs? How many times had I convinced myself it was all in my head?

Dave walked into the room, his hair slightly messy, wearing that smug smile I once found charming. He didn’t even notice the phone in my hand at first.

“Hey, babe,” he said, his voice smooth as ever. He leaned against the doorframe, his eyes trailing over me like I was some prize he already owned. “Are you waiting for me?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat, trying to keep my voice steady. “Dave, who is this woman?” I held up the phone, my heart pounding.

His smile faltered for a second, but he quickly recovered, shrugging nonchalantly. “What woman? You’re overthinking again, Ella.”

Overthinking? My jaw clenched as anger bubbled inside me. “Don’t play dumb, Dave. These messages, these pictures—who is she?”

He sauntered over, sitting beside me on the bed. His cologne was overwhelming, like he’d bathed in it. “Ella, you’re always so uptight. Why don’t we forget about all this and just enjoy the night, huh?” His hand slid up my thigh, his voice dripping with seduction.

I pushed his hand away, disgusted. “Don’t touch me! I’m not one of your little flings.”

His eyes darkened, and for a moment, the charm disappeared, replaced by cold indifference. “You’re my wife. Stop acting like a child.”

I wanted to scream, to throw the phone at him, but instead, I stood up, my hands shaking. “Not for much longer,” I muttered under my breath.

That night, I couldn’t sleep. My mind kept replaying the texts, the pictures, his dismissive tone. Around 2 a.m., I woke up to an empty bed. Dave was gone.

I stared at the ceiling, my chest heavy. Where could he be? My thoughts were interrupted by a buzz from my phone. A text.

“He’s with me. If you want proof, come to this address.”

I didn’t think.my heart was racing,our marriage was never based in love so why did I even care?

Anyways I just grabbed my keys and drove. The streets were quiet, the world asleep, but my heart raced with every turn. The address led me to a cheap motel. My stomach churned as I climbed the stairs, each step feeling like a lifetime.

When I reached the door, it was slightly ajar. I peeked inside, my breath catching in my throat. There he was, my husband, tangled in the sheets with another woman.

I didn’t cry. Or do nothing. I just stood there, frozen, as the reality of my marriage hit me like a brick wall.

For years, I had tried. I had been the perfect wife, the forgiving wife, the wife who looked the other way. But this? This was the final straw.

I turned and walked away, my footsteps heavy but determined.

When I got back to the car, I called Lily, my best friend. My voice was steady, but inside, I felt like I was crumbling, tears pouring from my eyes.

Why was I crying for that man.

“Lily,” I said, my grip tightening on the steering wheel. “I’m done. I’m done with him. I can’t do this anymore.”

“Ella? What happened?” she asked, concern lacing her voice.

I told her everything—the texts, the motel, the scene I had just witnessed.

“Ella, come over. Let’s talk about this,” she said gently.

“No,” I replied firmly. “I need to get out. I need to forget him, forget everything.”

There was a pause before Lily spoke again, her tone cautious but excited. “There’s this masked party tonight. It’s for singles. Why don’t we go? You need a distraction.”

A masked party? It sounded ridiculous, but at that moment, I was desperate for anything to take my mind off Dave.

“Fine,” I said, surprising even myself. “Let’s do it.”

I drove to Lily’s place, and as soon as she opened the door, she pulled me into a tight hug.

“You deserve better, Ella,” she said, her voice filled with conviction.

“I know,” I whispered, though a part of me still doubted it.

We sat down, and I recounted everything again, every detail, every feeling, and she encouraged me to pour out my heart in tears and I did.

Lily also listened intently, her eyes narrowing with each word. “He’s trash. Absolute trash. You’re too good for him.”

I nodded, feeling a flicker of agreement. “I’ve been on his case for so long, trying to make this work. But I’m done, Lily. I’m done being the good wife. He doesn’t deserve me.”

She smiled, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “That’s the spirit. Tonight, we’re getting wasted, and you’re going to remember what it feels like to have fun. No more Dave. No more drama.”

For the first time in what felt like forever, I smiled. A real, genuine smile.

“I’m ready,” I said, feeling a strange mix of liberation and fear. “I’m ready to let go.”

Lily raised her glass of wine. “To new beginnings.”

“To new beginnings,” I echoed, clinking my glass against hers.

As I sat there, sipping my wine, I realized that this was it. This was the turning point. I was finally taking control of my life.

“Let’s get ready,” Lily said, pulling me to my feet.

I hesitated for a moment, looking at my reflection in the mirror. I saw a woman who had been through hell but was still standing.

“Ella?” Lily called from the other room.

“Coming!” I replied, a newfound determination in my voice.

I didn’t know what the night would bring, but one thing was certain: I was done with Dave. Done with the lies, the betrayal, the pain.

As I walked out of the room, I felt lighter, freer.

“Let’s do this,” I said to Lily

, and she grinned, handing me a mask.

Little did I know, this night would change everything.