AmberHumming my favorite song, I stride into my closet and pull out a red, lacy lingerie set that hasn’t seen the light of day in years. I lay it carefully on the bed, my heart thudding with a mix of anticipation and nerves. Stripping off my clothes, I step into the bathroom, grab the razor and shaving cream, and begin meticulously shaving my legs and bikini line.Maybe Mom was right. Maybe our lackluster intimacy is because I’ve let myself blend into the background, always prioritizing a spotless home and chores over myself. The only time I bother to look my best is when we’re heading out, but it’s hard to keep up when most of my energy is spent cleaning up after Dan and ensuring the house stays impeccable.Once done, I step into a hot shower, letting the water wash away the lingering doubts clinging to me. I towel off, massage oil into my skin until it gleams, and dab perfume onto my pulse points. Slipping into the lingerie, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, and for the fi
Amber Trying to seduce Dan was a grave mistake, a humiliating misstep that only served to deepen the rift between us. If I’d ignored my mother’s misguided advice, maybe I wouldn’t feel this raw, exposed, and shattered. My self-esteem took a blow so severe that I’m not sure I can ever piece it back together.A week has passed, and Dan now treats me like I’m invisible, as though the sight of me is enough to sour his day. He comes home long past midnight, the sound of the front door creaking open is the only signal of his return. By the time I wake, he’s already gone, the faint scent of his cologne and the chaos left behind as proof he still lives here: shirts strewn across the couch, shoes left haphazardly at the entrance, an empty coffee mug on the kitchen counter.I move through the house like a ghost, cleaning up his trail and pretending that each act isn’t a painful reminder of how far we’ve fallen. I wipe down the countertops, pick up discarded socks, and straighten pillows with a
I quickly turn my face away from Liam, hoping he doesn’t see the tears that are threatening to spill. It’s stupid, really, crying over a simple compliment, but hearing those words—You did great—from him feels like a weight lifted off my chest. Since forever, all I’ve ever heard from Dan is that I’m not enough, that I never do anything right.I inhale deeply, and focus on the rain hitting the window, watching as the droplets streak down the glass, my thoughts drifting. I wish it were Dan sitting here beside me, telling me I did a good job, making me feel like I matter. The thought burns a little, ached deep in my chest. I can’t help but wish things could go back to how they were, before everything fell apart between us. I know I sound like a broken record but, I can’t seem to help it.Liam’s voice breaks the stillness. "Amber?" His tone is soft, concerned. "Are you okay? Did I say something wrong?"I force myself to nod, not trusting my voice. I turn back to face him, offering a smile
AmberMy heart is hammering in my chest as Dan stands up, his footsteps heavy and deliberate as he strides toward me. His eyes are blazing with fury, and his voice cuts through the silence like a knife. "I asked you a question. Where the hell have you been?"I stutter, trying to keep my composure, but the words won’t come out fast enough. "I—I was at the charity event we’ve been planning… it was today." My voice trails off, unsure of what will set him off next.His glare sharpens, and he crosses his arms, eyes narrowing. "What did I tell you about going out without my permission?"I swallow hard, panic rising in my throat. "I... I’m sorry. I completely forgot about it. I... I texted you about it." My voice wavers, desperate for him to understand. “When you didn’t reply, I decided to Uber my way there.”Dan scoffs, his anger escalating. "Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t respond to you on time Madam! You think I’m sitting around, waiting for your last-minute messages?" He takes a step closer, his
I stood frozen at her doorstep, staring at the closed door she’d just shut in my face. My jaw clenched as I replayed the sight of her bruise. That bastard hit her. I know it. I wanted to kick the damn door down, force her to tell me the truth, to stop lying for him. But I knew it wouldn’t work. She was too scared, too conditioned to defend him. But why? Why would she do that?I took a deep breath and stepped back, my fists curling tightly at my sides. For a moment, I couldn’t move, just stood there staring at the door. If I walked away now, what would happen to her? Would he hit her again? Worse? The thought made my blood boil.My boots hit the pavement harder than I intended as I walked back to my car, the rain drizzling starting to soak through my jacket. I slid into the driver’s seat and sat there, gripping the steering wheel.Calling the cops wouldn’t work. Amber would lie, just like she did to me. I know her. She’d protect him at her own expense, and that bastard would get away w
AmberThere was a time when I loved him with everything I had, and thought he loved me too. I was so sure of us, so sure of him. But now…I wasn’t sure anymore. It’s hard to believe you’re loved when you’re constantly being treated like a maid in your own home.There are some days I try to convince myself that Dan still loves me, but I later get to realize that’s all a show for the public’s approval. My husband lives off it.I’m fumbling with the zipper of my dress when Dan storms into my bedroom, his voice already rising as he calls out my name.“Amber!” Dan’s voice booms with anger. “Are you still not ready yet? We’re going to be late for the gala! What the hell is taking you so long?” His words are sharp, cutting into me like a thousand tiny knives. They always do.“I’m almost done,” I reply, my voice trembling as I finally get around to zipping my dress. I’d chosen one of the dresses Dan had Lilian his personal shopper bring me. Trust Dan to treat me like trash, but the moment ther
AmberI find myself staring into familiar eyes. It’s Liam—my high school sweetheart whom I thought I was never going to see again. Am I hallucinating?For a second, I wonder if I’m dreaming, but he seems just as real. The same look of surprise mirrors on his face, and then he says my name, his voice warm and steady. Just as I remembered it to be.“Amber?” His voice is filled with shock.“Liam?”“Are you alright?" he asks, his voice laced with concern.I nod, still shaken, suddenly aware of where we are. People are starting to look, glancing curiously at us. I step away from his hold, my heart fluttering. The last thing I want is for Dan to see us like this.“Liam… is it really you?” I ask, breathless.He chuckles, that same charming smile spreading across his face. "In the flesh and blood," he replies.“You’re the last person I expected to see here,” I can’t help but smile, seeing him after such a long time is a pleasant surprise.He nods. “Me too. I just moved back to the city. Just
Amber.I can't shake her from my mind. After all these years, seeing her again tonight was like ripping open an old wound that never fully healed. I thought I’d moved on, buried those feelings somewhere deep enough that they couldn’t touch me anymore.But the moment she looked up at me, every emotion I’d worked so hard to forget came flooding back.Breaking up with her is still my worst mistake. I should have fought for us; I should never have allowed my work to get in the way between us. I was a fool. A big one. A few years ago, after my graduation, I wanted to reach out and reconnect, hoping to get back with her, but that was when I found out that she’s now married, so I’d convinced myself that keeping my distance was for the best. I figured her being married was my sign that she’d moved on, and it was time I did the same.But seeing her tonight, with that hollow look behind her smile, made me question everything. There was something about her tonight—something that gnawed at me l
I stood frozen at her doorstep, staring at the closed door she’d just shut in my face. My jaw clenched as I replayed the sight of her bruise. That bastard hit her. I know it. I wanted to kick the damn door down, force her to tell me the truth, to stop lying for him. But I knew it wouldn’t work. She was too scared, too conditioned to defend him. But why? Why would she do that?I took a deep breath and stepped back, my fists curling tightly at my sides. For a moment, I couldn’t move, just stood there staring at the door. If I walked away now, what would happen to her? Would he hit her again? Worse? The thought made my blood boil.My boots hit the pavement harder than I intended as I walked back to my car, the rain drizzling starting to soak through my jacket. I slid into the driver’s seat and sat there, gripping the steering wheel.Calling the cops wouldn’t work. Amber would lie, just like she did to me. I know her. She’d protect him at her own expense, and that bastard would get away w
AmberMy heart is hammering in my chest as Dan stands up, his footsteps heavy and deliberate as he strides toward me. His eyes are blazing with fury, and his voice cuts through the silence like a knife. "I asked you a question. Where the hell have you been?"I stutter, trying to keep my composure, but the words won’t come out fast enough. "I—I was at the charity event we’ve been planning… it was today." My voice trails off, unsure of what will set him off next.His glare sharpens, and he crosses his arms, eyes narrowing. "What did I tell you about going out without my permission?"I swallow hard, panic rising in my throat. "I... I’m sorry. I completely forgot about it. I... I texted you about it." My voice wavers, desperate for him to understand. “When you didn’t reply, I decided to Uber my way there.”Dan scoffs, his anger escalating. "Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t respond to you on time Madam! You think I’m sitting around, waiting for your last-minute messages?" He takes a step closer, his
I quickly turn my face away from Liam, hoping he doesn’t see the tears that are threatening to spill. It’s stupid, really, crying over a simple compliment, but hearing those words—You did great—from him feels like a weight lifted off my chest. Since forever, all I’ve ever heard from Dan is that I’m not enough, that I never do anything right.I inhale deeply, and focus on the rain hitting the window, watching as the droplets streak down the glass, my thoughts drifting. I wish it were Dan sitting here beside me, telling me I did a good job, making me feel like I matter. The thought burns a little, ached deep in my chest. I can’t help but wish things could go back to how they were, before everything fell apart between us. I know I sound like a broken record but, I can’t seem to help it.Liam’s voice breaks the stillness. "Amber?" His tone is soft, concerned. "Are you okay? Did I say something wrong?"I force myself to nod, not trusting my voice. I turn back to face him, offering a smile
Amber Trying to seduce Dan was a grave mistake, a humiliating misstep that only served to deepen the rift between us. If I’d ignored my mother’s misguided advice, maybe I wouldn’t feel this raw, exposed, and shattered. My self-esteem took a blow so severe that I’m not sure I can ever piece it back together.A week has passed, and Dan now treats me like I’m invisible, as though the sight of me is enough to sour his day. He comes home long past midnight, the sound of the front door creaking open is the only signal of his return. By the time I wake, he’s already gone, the faint scent of his cologne and the chaos left behind as proof he still lives here: shirts strewn across the couch, shoes left haphazardly at the entrance, an empty coffee mug on the kitchen counter.I move through the house like a ghost, cleaning up his trail and pretending that each act isn’t a painful reminder of how far we’ve fallen. I wipe down the countertops, pick up discarded socks, and straighten pillows with a
AmberHumming my favorite song, I stride into my closet and pull out a red, lacy lingerie set that hasn’t seen the light of day in years. I lay it carefully on the bed, my heart thudding with a mix of anticipation and nerves. Stripping off my clothes, I step into the bathroom, grab the razor and shaving cream, and begin meticulously shaving my legs and bikini line.Maybe Mom was right. Maybe our lackluster intimacy is because I’ve let myself blend into the background, always prioritizing a spotless home and chores over myself. The only time I bother to look my best is when we’re heading out, but it’s hard to keep up when most of my energy is spent cleaning up after Dan and ensuring the house stays impeccable.Once done, I step into a hot shower, letting the water wash away the lingering doubts clinging to me. I towel off, massage oil into my skin until it gleams, and dab perfume onto my pulse points. Slipping into the lingerie, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, and for the fi
AmberDan, my mom’s coming over for lunch today,” I call after him as he strides toward the front door. His long legs make it hard for me to keep up, so I quicken my pace, my heart thudding with the familiar dread. Mom’s text came this morning, and I almost told her not to come, afraid of Dan’s reaction. But I couldn’t keep avoiding her. Three canceled visits in four months were already too much.Dan pauses, hand on the car door, eyes narrowing with irritation. “Why? Haven’t I made it clear that I don’t want her here?” His voice is sharp, cutting through the morning silence.“She’s my mother, Dan. It’s just lunch. She won’t stay long, I promise.” I hold my breath, waiting for the verdict.A muscle twitches in his jaw before he lets out a sigh. “Fine. But make sure she’s gone before I get home.”I nod quickly, relief flooding me as he slides into the car. The engine revs, and within moments, the car is out of sight.When I first introduced Dan to my parents, he and Mom clashed almost i
LiamIt’s been almost a week, and no matter how much I try, I can’t shake Amber from my mind. I keep replaying that moment at the gala—the look in her eyes, that hint of something deeper beneath her polished smile.I’ve tried convincing myself that I imagined it, but it doesn’t add up. Amber may be married, but I know her well enough to sense when something’s off.Since I didn’t get a chance to grab her number before her husband swooped in, and she doesn’t have any form of social media presence, it seems like every attempt to reach her is a dead end. So I’ve thrown myself into work, spending more time than usual on-site as I oversee renovations at one of the hotels we recently acquired.I’m in the middle of reviewing some blueprints with the project manager when I hear it—a laugh, soft and familiar, one I could recognize anywhere. I turn toward the sound, and there she is, sitting in the hotel’s restaurant with three other women. They’re leaning in, chatting intently, as Amber jots do
It's the weekend and Dan's mom and sister are coming over for dinner. So that means that I have to cook up a storm because they always demand for different dishes. His parents are divorced and his dad is currently globe trotting with his new wife.This time, his mother insisted I prepare a medium-rare steak with gravy, while his younger sister—never missing a chance to undermine me—demanded fried rice, ribeye, and coleslaw.I’ve been in the kitchen all day, juggling pans and chopping ingredients, every muscle aching from the constant motion. Exhaustion weighs on me, but I don’t dare rest until everything is perfect. With only minutes left before they arrive, I’m still scrambling, a dozen little tasks left unfinished.The house has to be spotless or Rose, Dan's mom will have something to say, she always does anyway.We could have these meals ordered in but Dan would never hear of it. "Of what use are you then?" He would always ask. It's the reason he fired all the helps and makes me do
Amber.I can't shake her from my mind. After all these years, seeing her again tonight was like ripping open an old wound that never fully healed. I thought I’d moved on, buried those feelings somewhere deep enough that they couldn’t touch me anymore.But the moment she looked up at me, every emotion I’d worked so hard to forget came flooding back.Breaking up with her is still my worst mistake. I should have fought for us; I should never have allowed my work to get in the way between us. I was a fool. A big one. A few years ago, after my graduation, I wanted to reach out and reconnect, hoping to get back with her, but that was when I found out that she’s now married, so I’d convinced myself that keeping my distance was for the best. I figured her being married was my sign that she’d moved on, and it was time I did the same.But seeing her tonight, with that hollow look behind her smile, made me question everything. There was something about her tonight—something that gnawed at me l