Chapter 1

7:03 p.m.

I glanced at my phone.

Alex's message from earlier that afternoon was still there.

Seven. I'll be there.

I placed my phone face down on the table.

The waiter came over for the third time and asked if I wanted to order first.

"No, thank you." I smiled politely. "My husband will be here soon."

The waiter nodded and quietly refilled my water glass.

Outside the window, the sky had already turned completely dark.

The restaurant was full now.

At the table beside me, a couple had just cut into their dessert. The man picked up the first bite and fed it to the woman across from him.

I looked away and lowered my head, smoothing the napkin in front of me.

7:22 p.m.

My phone lit up.

Alex.

Running late. Don't wait to order.

I stared at the message for a few seconds.

Then typed:

How late?

There was no reply.

I still didn't order.

7:45 p.m.

I called him once.

The phone rang for a long time.

No answer.

A few minutes later, he sent another message.

Still with the client. Sorry.

I put my phone down.

When the waiter passed by again, I finally ordered a salad.

8:30 p.m.

A new group of customers had already replaced the ones who left earlier.

The candle in front of me had burned halfway down.

I didn't call Alex again.

At 8:57, my phone finally lit up.

This is taking longer than expected.

No explanation.

No question about whether I was still there.

I stared at the screen, my fingers hovering above the keyboard.

I wanted to remind him what day it was.

I wanted to ask if he had forgotten.

But in the end, I sent nothing.

9:20 p.m.

I asked for the check.

The waiter glanced at the untouched place setting across from me but didn't say anything.

He simply took the bill away.

I walked out of the restaurant alone.

The wind outside was colder than I expected.

I stood by the curb waiting for a car, but my phone remained silent.

When I got home, I changed out of my dress and removed my earrings, placing them carefully back into the jewelry box.

On the dining table were the white roses I had arranged to be delivered that morning.

Beside them sat an unopened gift box.

It was the anniversary present I had prepared for Alex.

11:00 p.m.

12:00 a.m.

1:30 a.m.

I was already lying in bed, but I never truly fell asleep.

At 1:57 a.m., I finally heard the front door open downstairs.

My eyes opened.

A few minutes later, Alex pushed open the bedroom door.

"You're still awake?"

His voice was low, exhaustion clear in every word.

I sat up.

Alex loosened his tie and casually placed his suit jacket over the chair.

There was alcohol on him.

And another scent.

A stranger's perfume.

It was faint.

But I noticed.

"Where were you?"

His movements paused.

"Didn't I tell you? The client added something last minute. The contract was finalized today, and afterward everyone went to the bar."

"Claire was there too?"

Alex frowned slightly.

"Of course she was. She's responsible for the project."

I looked at him.

"Do you know what today is?"

The room went quiet for two seconds.

The expression on Alex's face finally changed.

His eyes moved toward the nightstand.

The framed photo from our wedding day was sitting there.

"Shit."

I said nothing.

Alex walked closer.

"Evie, I really forgot."

"You told me this afternoon you'd be here at seven."

"I thought the meeting would end."

"When did the meeting actually end?"

His hand slowed as he removed his watch.

"Around eight."

I looked at him.

"And then?"

"The team went out to celebrate." He sighed. "That contract was important for the company."

I nodded.

Alex sat on the edge of the bed and reached for my hand.

"I'm sorry."

I moved back slightly.

His hand stopped in midair.

"I'll make it up to you tomorrow," he said. "We can book another restaurant. Or spend the weekend away."

I looked at him.

"Alex, this is our fifth wedding anniversary."

"I know."

"Did you only just remember?"

Something uncomfortable flashed across his face.

Maybe he wasn't angry at me.

Maybe he was simply too tired.

"Evie, it was just dinner. We can do it tomorrow."

Seeing how exhausted he looked, I didn't continue.

The next morning, Alex had already left for work.

I was sitting at the dining table drinking coffee when a news notification appeared on my phone.

Whitmore Holdings completes major acquisition.

Attached were photos from the company celebration party.

I opened it casually.

The first picture showed Alex with several executives.

The second one stopped me.

My hand froze.

Alex was sitting in the center of the bar.

Claire was right beside him.

She was smiling as she leaned toward him, talking.

And over her shoulders was a black men's suit jacket.

I recognized it.

It was the same jacket Alex had taken off when he came home at 2 a.m.