Shattered Ties, Silent Lies

Sitting in her room, Elaine Leigh was working on her laptop. When she wrote about the synopsis of her new novel, she was so excited to work on it for a long time.

Not only she, but her fans were excited when they got the news that she was publishing a new book in the next five months.

She was done writing a synopsis when her cell phone rang. For a second, she ignored it and tried to stay focused on her work, but when it rang again and again, she got fed up and angrily accepted the call.

"Hello... Elaine? Hello?" When Elaine heard her neat friends call, she sighed as she tried to control her anger, but when she heard the next words, she got confused.

"Have you checked your social media?" This made her wonder why, suddenly, she would call her and ask her this.

"No... But why?" Elaine asked as she looked at the document she had created and saved with the blurb as the title.

Her fingers stopped typing when she heard her say, "That's good; don't look at it for some time. Uh, you are writing a new book, right?"

Elaine nodded, but she couldn't see her response, so she hummed. Again, that's good... Uhm, keep writing then; I will not disturb you again." She paused awkwardly. "Just focus on your work. Don't let someone disturb you. If you turn off your cell phone, it will work too. No! It will be great!"

"Udaya! What's the matter?" Elaine couldn't help but ask the obvious.

"Nothing! Uh, I have work; see you soon. Bye!" Udaya didn't waste time and hung up the phone. She didn't want Elaine to be worried about things.

"Something is not right." Elaine thought as she gazed at the document and then sighed.

She entered the kitchen and started making coffee for herself. She needed to focus on her work.

Her apartment was not very big, but it wasn't small either. With a small open kitchen, Elaine's eyes landed on her cell phone screen when it blinked.

She thought it would be a random notification and took the mug with her towards the lounge.

She thought about the title of her new book. She had been writing rom-com books for many years, but they don't sell well because it's the same topic for new authors to start with.

She got a few fans since she was new, but not everyone paid attention to her books. She wanted to change her genre this time and decided to go with the plot of betrayal.

Her phone blinked once again, and this time she really held her cell phone and unlocked it. Inside was an article link attached with the message, "Open it right now!"

It was someone from her friends circle. She didn't know, but something caught her attention, and she narrowed her eyes at the words.

"Engagement of young master Kim—something broke in her the moment she read the words out loud, but she snorted and thought it was absurd to think about her.

Her hands were shaking, but she thought it wasn't that... It's not!

Finally, getting up her courage, she clicked on the link. The cell phone fell on her as she covered her wide mouth with her hands.

She was stunned—too stunned and shocked to even move slightly. She felt like it was another man, and the pictures she just saw weren't of Kim.

But in her worst nightmare, it was him!

How was this even possible? She had met his family, and he told her that he had convicted them.

Was it all a lie?

She moved to hold the cell phone once again, and this time she dialled a number directly.

The call was accepted after a few ringings, as if the person was already expecting her phone call.

"Helloow!" came a sexy voice from behind the phone. Elaine frowned a little as she asked.

"Dante?" She covered her mouth and asked, "Are you drunk?" As expected, the person responded.

"No!! I am not drunk... I just drank a little bit... I-I was about to call you, Elaine. I am sorry." The man said that, which broke her heart into a million pieces. Tears fell from her eyes as they reddened a moment after hearing his breathing. 

With a heavy sigh, Elaine tried to collect herself, knowing that staying away from this man would be the only way to protect her heart.

How was she going to stay away from this man?

"Where are you?" she asked, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and concern. Silence hung in the air for a moment before the man responded, his voice filled with regret.

"I am at Moon Club—Sh! Don't tell Elaine! She will come to meet me, and I don't want to meet her now." He broke down and started crying miserably.

Her heart ached at his condition, but what about her? She was hurt more than he was!

She cut the call and saw a notebook on the table. She turned the first page and wrote: 21 September, engagement.