Shadows of deceipt

penthouse, casting golden streaks across polished marble and brushed chrome. It was

otionless, her hand wrapped around a cool

e lips that no longer smiled freely. Her skin was fair, porcelain-like, with a natural flush on her cheeks that deepened when she was upset-as she was now. Her deep-set hazel eyes, once filled

ately, Helen wore her curves like armor, covering them with perfectly tailored clothes. This m

Ross had always wanted her to be-

something

cloud drive. A receipt of goods that have been purchased by customers from Steven's busines

ew folder. It was si

She had to.When she opened it sh

the sun, laughing with beers in hand. Steven shirtless, toned and grinning, arms around Valerie's waist. Valerie wore

ul. Sensual. Ef

happy-intimate. Like love

nge chair and Valerie was sitting in his lap.She was kissing him on the cheek and they were bot

lf into her mem

ver met. You are sweet on bed and you

lurred in tears. She clutched the e

or seven months. And yet he call

er their wedding. She realized now that her marri

ret affair she is having with Steven very serious.She desperately loves Steven and will be willing to do anything to get him back.Valerie love

the only woman who made him feel "wild." Saying Helen had become "too qu

grace and patience she had cult

s eyes

o "wait." And Valerie, too, bore no child of his, despite the fantasy Hele

me he wants to have sex with her he uses condom because he told her that he does not want kids for now.S

The woman staring back at her looked elegant but hollow.Her face was

cuses about client meetings. The impersonal sex. The emotional abs

all bee

-

ary in the digital retail world. From books and electronics to watches, utensils, and non-perishable foods, his company promised convenience

ly losses piled up. While Steven wore the title of CEO, it was Helen who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, overseeing oper

present to stakeholders. Privately, he chased distractions, includin

-

is? This wasn't just cheating. It was betrayal of

en came into the house.Sure! Here's a sample des

n hair was always slightly tousled, as if he had just stepped in from the wind, and his sharp, though

open in front of her. The room was silent but thick with the weight of betrayal. Steven's footsteps

sened just slightly like he'd had a long day negotiating million-dollar deals. His eyes flicked t

You're up early.

d to him, cold and

oto of Steven with Valerie-her arms looped around his neck,

e dropped the briefcase to

voice trembling, not with fear, but fury. "You rea

nothing, h

bitter laughter escaping. "Turns out she's your very current secret vacation partner. The

el

e you care. Don't pretend to be sorry. I read everything, Steven. Every disgus

d hard. "So what, Helen?

d me there. And now I know everything. The affair.

ngs," he said coldly

hen why does she believe you're hers? Why is

e cold, quiet ghost floating around the apartment all day. Valerie is alive. She knows

ed as if he'

oing to a funeral every day. You don't do anything anymore. You don

You wanted someone beautiful and composed. I gave up everything to be that for you. I

build anything. You gave advice.

'd raised her hand.But Steven caught her wrist mid-ai

er lift your hand to me again, I swear I'll throw

just words.For a long moment, they stood like that-her arm frozen

ed her wrist a

ng," he sa

eaving behind silence, shattered illusions

s dripping from her chi

door

oved slowly toward the bedroom. Her f

school. She began packing. Not with panic, but with quiet, deliberate focus. A cashmere sweater. A few si

watches, the diamonds, the l

closed, it felt like sealin

tion. Not ye

to look around the apartment. It was Lifeless.

len felt the last tendrils

ows her worth and she believes that she can

a great loss to him but at that point she

months,Helen Ross was no longer