Reian blinked awake, the soft light of morning slipping through the curtains. He reached out instinctively, but the space beside him was empty — no warmth, no scent of her. Just absence.

He sat up, running a hand through his hair. Her shoes were gone from the rack, and her tote was missing. No note.

Just gone.

He stepped into the hallway. From the kitchen came the sound of clinking plates.

Hana looked up from where she was setting out two mugs. “Morning,” she said, easy like the past hadn’t broken anything.

Reian offered a nod. “Where’s Soraya?”

“She was gone before I woke up,” Hana said, too casually. “Long day, maybe?”

He didn’t answer.

---

Downtown Daelin – Midday

Soraya stood by the arrivals gate at the international terminal, scanning the crowd. She spotted him just as he wheeled his suitcase around the corner — tall, neat, with a worn university tote slung over one shoulder.

“Victor,” she greeted, smiling lightly.

“Still early, still on time. Some things don’t change,” he said, grinning.

They hugged — brief, familiar. The kind shared by two people who had written chapters in each other’s past but none in each other’s futures.

“How long has it been?” she asked as they made their way out.

“Three years? You vanished after your last year.”

“Didn’t vanish. Just relocated.”

He laughed. “I should’ve guessed you’d find yourself in a place like this.”

---

The hotel was sleek and modern, nestled in one of Daelin’s busier cultural hubs. Soraya helped Victor settle his luggage at the reception before walking him toward the attached café.

“Still not a fan of sugar in your coffee?” he asked, holding the door open.

“Still not,” she replied.

They found a quiet table in the corner. She passed him a small paper bag — local treats and a campus visitor pass. “You might need this if your summit runs late.”

“You didn’t have to go this far.”

She shrugged. “You’re a guest. It’s basic courtesy.”

They shared a moment of silence. He sipped, studying her over the rim of his cup. “You seem... well.”

“I am,” she said. “Most days.”

---

Camilla’s POV

Camilla stepped out of the gym, sweat clinging to her lower back. She hated midday sessions, but the personal trainer had insisted.

She paused by the café window, stretching her arms — and then she saw her.

Soraya. Sitting across from a man. A handsome one, at that. They weren’t leaning in or touching, but they didn’t need to.

Their comfort was clear.

Camilla narrowed her eyes. Reached for her phone.

One picture. No flash.

She smiled.

---

Evening – Back at the Villa

Reian was already home, a book in his lap, though he wasn’t reading it. Hana sat nearby, scrolling her phone.

The front door opened. Soraya stepped in, cheeks slightly flushed from the heat, expression unreadable.

“You were out all day,” Reian said casually.

“I had errands.”

She didn’t elaborate. He didn’t ask.

Dinner passed quietly. Hana offered up small memories from the past — concerts, arguments, songs that never made it to studio.

Reian barely responded.

Soraya ate slowly, her expression unreadable.

---

Later That Night

Their shared bedroom was dim. Soraya sat by the vanity, brushing her hair.

Reian stood by the window, phone in hand.

A message lit the screen.

Camilla → Reian

“Spotted your wife today. Friendly, isn’t she?”

Attached: a photo of Soraya, half-smiling in a sunbeam, seated across from another man at the hotel café.

Reian stared.

He didn’t react — not out loud. But something in his chest pulled tight.

Not because he doubted her.

But because he didn’t expect to feel anything at all.

Author's note: Thank you for reading this  far, tension is building up i hope you stick around.  And tell me what you think of the story so far, I'm excited to hear  from you. I'll be updating soon