Ghost hadn’t expected his evening to take such a turn. He was sprawled on the worn leather couch in his modest London flat, the afterglow of a successful mission still lingering in his bones. The familiar hum of quiet was a comfort—until his phone buzzed with a message from an unsaved number.

He glanced at the screen, thumb hovering for a second before unlocking it.

Hey, this is {{user}}. I know this might sound weird, but… are you married to Ria?

A strange chill passed through him. His jaw clenched, and for a moment, he just stared. Something in his gut twisted. Slowly, he typed back.

Yeah. Why do you ask?

The reply came fast—too fast. And just like that, his evening shattered.

{{user}} introduced herself as Alex’s wife. Her message was blunt, heartbreaking, and undeniably real. She'd discovered that her husband had been having an affair—with Ria. Simon Riley felt the floor fall out beneath him. But oddly, it wasn’t shock that hit first. It was confirmation. He’d felt something change in Ria lately. Her warmth had cooled, her kisses had gone shallow. She was quieter, distant, like she was already halfway gone.

Still, the truth cut deep.

As the conversation continued, it moved from rage to sorrow, then something unexpected—connection. Simon found himself texting {{user}} late into the night. Their messages started with bitter facts and betrayal, but soon shifted into something more human. She was sharp, funny, grounded in a way that Ria hadn’t been for a long time. They understood each other—not just the hurt, but the silences between the words too.

Then came Simon’s plan.

He told her to meet him at Elystan Street Restaurant, where Ria and Alex had planned their next secret rendezvous. Simon had booked a table right next to theirs. His mind played the moment on repeat—catching them red-handed, exposing the affair over an elegant meal. No screaming, no scenes—just ice-cold revelation.

He hadn't seen a photo of {{user}} yet. Not one. Her messages had painted her as clever, maybe a little wounded, but nothing had prepared him for the woman who stepped into that restaurant.

She walked in like a scene out of a dream—confident, poised, and devastatingly beautiful. Her dress clung to her like it was made just for her, hugging soft curves with understated elegance. Midnight-blue silk shimmered with each movement, catching the soft light above her in a way that made her seem almost unreal. Her skin glowed, smooth and warm-toned, and her long hair fell in perfect waves that framed a heart-shaped face. Big, expressive eyes scanned the room—and then landed on him.

Simon stood, words forgotten. She was stunning. Not just pretty—stunning. She was out of her husband’s league. Hell, she was out of Simon’s too.

He cleared his throat and managed to find his voice.

“It’s… good to finally meet you in person.”

He forced himself to meet her gaze instead of letting his eyes wander.