If you'd told me a year ago that some stupid party invitation would tear my whole life apart, I would've laughed at you.
But that's exactly what happened.
I didn't want to go. I hate fancy crowds—everyone pretending they're better than you, showing off their watches and fake smiles.
But my wife—God, she could wear me down when she wanted something.
"Please," she said, that soft pleading tone she used to get her way. "Rishan invited you himself. Don't be difficult."
Rishan.
Her business partner.
A guy with too much money and too much charm. I never liked him. Something about him always felt like a wolf wearing a silk suit.
I looked at the thick white invitation card with gold edges and felt my stomach knot. A party on a damn cruise ship. The sea already gave me the creeps, but the way she was looking at me… like saying no would break her heart.
"Fine," I muttered. "We'll go. Just don't make me regret it."
Her smile was bright, but for a second, I swear I saw relief in her eyes. Like she was scared I'd say no. I brushed it off.
The evening was unreal.
The ship sat at the dock lit up like a floating city of gold. Music drifted across the dark water. Everybody looked perfect—expensive clothes, plastic smiles.
I followed her up the gangway in my suit that felt two sizes too tight.
Inside, the place was a palace. Chandeliers, polished floors, the smell of roses and wine. I nodded to a few people, shook Rishan's hand—his grip was firm, his grin too wide.
"Glad you came, man," he said like we were old friends. I grinned back because that's what you do. Then I escaped to the deck to breathe.
The sea was calm under the moon, dark and endless. The air was cool and sharp. I leaned on the railing and stared at the water, letting the noise from the party fade behind me.
Then I glanced back.
Through the glass doors, I saw her.
My wife.
She was standing close to Rishan, her silver dress shimmering under the lights. He said something, leaning in, his hand brushing hers. She didn't pull away. She laughed.
That laugh… God, I'd fallen in love with that laugh once.
Hearing it now felt like a blade sliding between my ribs.
I stood frozen, gripping the railing so hard my fingers hurt. Told myself I was being paranoid. Told myself it was just innocent.
But my gut knew.
Something had cracked right then. Something that would never be the same again.
I didn't know the ocean below us would soon swallow me whole.
Didn't know I was staring at the last night of my first life.
At that moment, all I felt was a slow, burning anger and the heavy ache of a man realizing the woman he loved might not love him back anymore.