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Chapter3
In The Shadows.
The clock ticked steadily as Jason pushed open the door, his shoulders heavy from the day’s burdens. He stumbled slightly, the faint scent of whiskey trailing behind him. Sophie looked up from her spot on the couch, her novel resting forgotten on her lap. Dressed in a soft kimono, she had already settled into the comforting embrace of home.
“Hey, you’re home late,” she greeted, her voice laced with concern.
“Yeah, had a few drinks with the guys,” he replied, his words slightly slurred yet charming as he ran a hand through his tousled hair. “You know how it is. Work hard, play harder, right?”
Sophie nodded, though a small knot twisted in her stomach. The playful banter they usually shared felt muted, overshadowed by something unspoken. She wanted to believe him, to hold on to the image of the man she fell in love with, but her heart whispered doubts she couldn’t quite shake off.
“Dinner’s in the fridge,” she said, masking her unease with a smile. “I’ll warm it up for you.”
He waved a dismissive hand, making his way to the bathroom. “Nah, I’m good. Just a quick shower
and I’ll be ready for bed.”
As he disappeared behind the bathroom door, Sophie took a deep breath, her mind still racing. While tidying up the living room, she picked up Jason’s jacket, ready to toss it into the laundry. As her fingers brushed against the fabric, she noticed something strange lodged in the pocket. Curiosity piqued, she reached in and pulled out a small piece of a fake nail, glimmering under the soft light of their home.
Her heart sank, a cold wave of confusion washing over her. Who did this belong to? It was a color she didn’t recognize, nothing from her own modest collection. The discovery stirred a mix of emotions a strange blend of anger, fear, and disbelief. She felt like she was peering into a darkened window, seeing shadows of something she couldn’t fully grasp.
Instead of confronting Jason, Sophie felt a compelling urge to tuck it away, to bury it deep within her thoughts. She placed the nail in her desk drawer, locking it away behind the steel barrier. It felt like the most sensible thing to do, the safest option in a world where chaos seemed to linger just beyond reach.
Jason emerged from the bathroom, steam wafting around him like a fog, and she quickly put on a mask of normalcy. “All set?” he asked, grinning as he wrapped a towel around his waist.
“Yeah, just finished tidying up,” she said, her heart racing as she met his gaze. “You know, the
usual.”
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He smirked, that charming smile of his pulling at the corners of his mouth. “You’re amazing, you know that?”
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“Just doing my part,” she replied, but inside, she felt a swell of resentment bubbling up. 1 wanted to shout, to demand answers about the nail, about his late nights. But instead, she took a deep breath, steeling herself against the flood of emotions.
Ast
they settled into their nightly routine, Sophie made dinner while Jason lounged on the couch, flipping through channels. She felt like she was in a performance, each action deliberate, each smile practiced. But behind the facade, her mind whirred, replaying the earlier moment like a
broken record.
With every laugh and casual conversation, she felt the chasm between them widening. Sophie was trying to cling to the remnants of their once–joyful life, while beneath the surface, Jason seemed blissfully unaware of the tempest brewing in her heart.
“Hey, do you want to watch that new series tonight?” he asked, drawing her back to the present.
“Sure,” she replied, her voice steady despite the storm inside. “Why not?”
As they settled on the couch, their bodies close yet worlds apart, Sophie felt the weight of secrets. heavy on her shoulders. She knew that hiding her feelings was only a temporary solution. But for now, she chose to play the part of the loving wife, even as shadows lurked in the corners of their perfect life.
