Free Sample
Preview from chapter one
"John, I swear, I've dropped my phone so many times it's a miracle it still works!" Emma said, holding her cracked phone out to her husband with a playful scowl. She had a way of making even the most mundane problems seem like a grand adventure. John chuckled, taking the phone gently.
"Well, it's definitely seen better days," he said, inspecting the shattered screen. "I'll take it to the service center. You shouldn't have any issues with it after that."
Emma planted a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you, my knight in shining armor."
John waved her off with a smirk. "No problem. Just don't expect me to joust any dragons while I'm there."
He set out for the service center, Emma's phone nestled safely in his pocket. The drive was typical, the same route he had taken countless times. The mall's neon lights flickered to life as the sun dipped below the horizon. Inside, the bustle of shoppers and the smell of fast food filled the air. He handed the phone to the young, ponytailed employee behind the counter, who took it with the enthusiasm of someone who had seen a hundred broken screens that day.
While he waited, John's eyes drifted to the bench outside the store. It was a perfect vantage point to watch the mall's diverse tapestry of life unfold. Teenagers giggled by the fountain, a harried mother chased a toddler, and a couple held hands, whispering sweet nothings into each other's ears. He felt a pang of something... nostalgia? Boredom?
The employee called out his name, interrupting his musings. "Your phone's all fixed, sir!"
John took the phone, slipping it into his pocket with a sense of accomplishment. He had done something small to brighten Emma's day, and that was all that mattered. But as he stepped into the cool evening air, a question popped into his mind. What if...?
He slid the phone out of his pocket and studied the screen. It was still unlocked. A strange, unbidden thrill danced in his stomach. He knew he shouldn't, but... what harm could a quick peek do? He scrolled through the photos, smiling at the snapshots of their life together. There were the kids, grinning with ice cream-covered faces, and a few selfies of Emma that made his heart swell with affection.
But then, something caught his eye. A folder titled 'Vacation Memories'. It was out of place, like a secret compartment in a drawer. With trembling hands, John opened it. The first image was of a beach, sun-kissed and serene, but the next ones... they were not what he expected. They were of Emma, but not with their kids. And she wasn't just smiling. She was... with another man.