Shadows from Before
Amara cautiously unlocked her apartment door, her hands shaking as she opened it. The stillness of the night surrounded her, but rather than feeling safe, it felt heavy with discomfort. Just as she entered, a recognizable voice broke the quiet.
"Where have you been?"
Her heart froze. In the living room, with his arms crossed, stood her husband-Daniel. His eyes were filled with anger and ownership, but she could see a little bit of lipstick on his collar and a scent of perfume that didn't belong to her.
Amara felt a knot in her stomach. He didn't even try to hide his cheating anymore.
"I asked you something," Daniel said sharply, moving closer. "You vanish for hours and return looking like this" his eyes took in her neatly arranged hair, the subtle sparkle of makeup on her face, the new radiance she couldn't completely hide-" and you think I won't see it?"
She gulped. "Daniel, please, not now."
He laughed mockingly, a harsh sound coming from him. "Not tonight? You think I'm clueless?
You really believe I haven't caught wind of it?
People noticed you, Amara. With him." His tone turned sharp. "Leonardo Bologna. The rich guy."
She felt a chill run through her. Already? The rumors spread quicker than she realized.
Daniel's mouth twisted into a cruel grin."Do you have any idea what kind of guy he is?
Do you realize what happens to women who get involved with him? Or are you so eager for attention that you'd sacrifice your self-respect for a bit of his cash?"
The words pierced her heart, but under the hurt, anger simmered-an emotion that had been accumulating for years. She raised her chin, her voice shaky yet strong. "Don't you even think about lecturing me on dignity, Daniel.
I saw you. With her. In our living room. You didn't care if I saw."
For the first time, his expression wavered, guilt flashing for just a moment before anger took over. He seized her wrist forcefully. "You belong to me. You're my wife. Don't fool yourself into thinking a billionaire can take you from me."
Panic flooded her, yet she stood her ground and didn't look away. "You've already lost me, Daniel. The second you picked her over me."
His hold became more intense, and he spoke in a hushed, menacing tone. "If you leave, Amara, you're going to regret it."That guy isn't going to help you. He'll take advantage of you, toss you aside, and you'll find yourself coming back-if I even allow it."
Just as she was about to reply, a loud knock resonated through the apartment. Daniel stopped in his tracks.
Amara felt her heart race. She didn't need to open the door to know who it was.
"Amara?" A strong, assertive voice sounded from the hallway. "It's me."
Leonardo.
Daniel's expression shifted to one of anger.
Daniel's hold on her wrist became as tight as a clamp. His jaw was set, with his muscles tensing as though he was facing a hidden struggle within. The knock sounded again-stronger this time.
"Amara" Leonardo's voice resonated through the thin door, steady yet authoritative, a tone that offered both safety and repercussions.
Her heart raced. Two men-her history and her potential future-were positioned on opposite sides of her life, intersecting in the fragile moment of one night.
"Don't pick it up"" Daniel warned, his gaze intense with urgency. "If you open that door, you'll ruin everything. Do you get what I'm saying? He doesn't give a damn about you. He's just toying with you for his own entertainment."
Amara looked at him, her wrist aching from his hold. She recalled the years spent in silence, waiting, and loving a man who had never prioritized her over his ego or cravings. Then she remembered Leonardo-the spark in his eyes, how he had regarded her as if she was more than just a name or a burden.
Her voice was gentle but firm. "You've already ruined everything, Daniel."
She yanked her hand away, a jolt of pain running up her arm, but she kept going. With shaking fingers, she headed for the door.
Daniel's voice grew louder behind her, panicked.
"Amara! Don't even think about it-"
But she was already turning the handle. The door opened to show Leonardo in the hallway, his sharp suit flawless, his presence strong.
His eyes momentarily glanced at her wrist, where a slight red mark from Daniel's hold was visible. He clenched his jaw.
"Amara"" he said gently, keeping his eyes fixed on hers. "Are you okay?"
Her throat tightened with feelings. She could only give a nod.
Daniel rushed in, his face red with anger. "What the hell are you doing here?" he yelled, stepping in front of Amara and blocking her from Leonardo. "This is my wife. My home."
Leonardo finally looked at Daniel, his gaze icy and firm. "Your wife?" he said, his voice full of contempt. "A guy who sees his wife as an object doesn't deserve her."
Daniel's hands tightened into fists at his sides."You think you can just stroll in here, show off your wealth and status, and take what belongs to me? You don't really know her. You don't know anything about us."
Leonardo moved closer, his towering figure overshadowing the shorter man. He lowered his voice to a menacing calm."I get it. I understand that any guy who hits or shouts at her isn't a real man." His eyes briefly darted to Amara again, with a gentler look. "And I know she deserves more than this."
Amara felt a pang in her chest as she observed the two men-the husband who had hurt her and the man who offered something frightening yet undeniably true.
Daniel let out a bitter laugh, though his voice showed his doubts. "Do you really think she'll pick you? You're just a storm ready to ruin her."
"And when that happens, I'll be here to help you put things back together."
Leonardo's face stayed the same, but the quiet that came next felt more intense than any words. He reached out to Amara, not in a pushy way, just as a gesture of support.
Her heart raced. It felt like the entire world was pausing, anticipating her decision.