The First Wife

I stared at Daniel, waiting for him to deny it.

Waiting for him to laugh and tell me it was some cruel joke.

But he didn't.

He simply stood there, his jaw tight and his eyes fixed on the phone in my trembling hands.

"Daniel," I whispered. "Who is she?"

He reached for the phone, but I pulled it away.

"Don't."

"Amara, listen to me."

"No! You listen to me!" My voice cracked. "I've been your wife for three years. Three years, Daniel! And you're telling me nothing?"

He exhaled sharply and loosened his tie.

"That marriage is over."

I laughed bitterly.

"Over? You mean you were married before me?"

He looked away.

That small movement told me more than his words ever could.

"What's her name?" I asked.

"Elena."

The name fell between us like a stone.

"Does she know about me?"

Daniel said nothing.

I stepped backwards, struggling to breathe.

"Does she know you married me?"

"Amara, it's complicated."

"Then explain it!"

For the first time since I had known him, Daniel looked genuinely afraid.

He walked towards me slowly.

"I never wanted you to find out this way."

My eyes filled with tears.

"How did you expect me to find out? On our anniversary? At your funeral? Or when she shows up at our front door?"

He closed his eyes.

And then his phone rang.

We both looked at it.

An unfamiliar number.

Daniel immediately rejected the call.

A second later, a message appeared.

I saw his expression change.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Nothing."

I reached for the phone, but he held it behind him.

"Daniel, give it to me."

He hesitated.

Then the screen lit up again.

This time, I caught the message before he could hide it.

I KNOW YOU'RE WITH YOUR NEW WIFE. WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR SON.

My entire body went cold.

Our son?

I looked at Daniel, unable to understand the words I had just read.

"Daniel..." My voice was barely audible. "You have a child?"

He didn't answer.

I covered my mouth as tears slipped down my cheeks.

Three years of marriage.

Three years of believing I knew everything about the man beside me.

And suddenly, I was discovering that I knew almost nothing.

Daniel finally spoke.

"Amara, there's something else you need to know."

I shook my head.

"Not another secret, Daniel. Please."

He looked directly into my eyes.

"Elena isn't supposed to be alive."

My heart stopped.

What?

Before I could ask another question, someone knocked loudly on the front door.

Three times.

Daniel turned towards it.

And for the first time, I saw pure terror in his eyes.

To be continued...