Chapter 3: Cracks in the Perfect Life
The next morning, Clara acted like nothing happened.
She made coffee.
She hummed.
She even kissed my cheek like we were still the same couple.
“I think we got off on the wrong foot yesterday,” she said sweetly.
I studied her.
This woman—this stranger—had shared my bed, my dreams, my future.
And I hadn’t seen her.
“I agree,” I said quietly.
Her smile widened.
“We should start fresh,” she said. “Just you and me. No outside stress.”
“No outside stress?” I repeated.
Her eyes flickered.
“You know what I mean.”
I nodded slowly.
“I do.”
Later that day, I made a call.
Then another.
And another.
By evening, everything was in motion.
May you like
Clara didn’t know it yet—
but her perfect life was already falling apart.
