ERIN'S POV

The day felt heavy, a suffocating weight on my shoulders. Not only was Syd late, but my phone was missing. This was supposed to be a simple trip to Stary Hub, a club I owned, but it was already turning into a nightmare.

Three years of marriage, and still no child. It was a constant question mark hovering over our lives. What was missing? I was beautiful, successful, rich, and loyal.

Syd had never strayed, so what was the problem? But I couldn't shake off the nagging feeling that maybe, just maybe, there was something I wasn't doing right.

"Nanny, tell Syd that I'm leaving first. I can't find my phone. Please find it too," I instructed, frustration bubbling up inside me as I threw a magazine on the couch.

I couldn't understand how I had lost my phone, but the more I searched, the more panicked I became.

As I walked towards the parking lot, I found myself drawn to the end of the driveway, where my prized possession, my Mercedes-Benz Maybach Exelero, awaited me. The smell of leather and wealth always calmed my nerves, a reminder of the life I had built.

The drive to Stary Hub was surprisingly smooth, without any traffic. I decided to catch up with Syd later. It had been a while since I'd last been there, and it felt good to be back in my element.

"Good Evening Madame Erin!" A familiar voice greeted me, but I ignored it, heading straight to my office. I tossed my bag on the desk and walked out into the heart of the club, the music pulsing through my veins.

"OMG! You're here! I guess Syd's not here yet, right?" Sabbey, my longtime friend, greeted me with a playful smile.

"If he's already home, I wouldn't be here," I replied, my voice laced with sarcasm.

"You're so bitchy," Sabbey pouted, but I knew she wasn't really offended.

"He's so handsome! Girl! Look! OMG! Is my look okay?" Sabbey frittered, her eyes glued to a handsome man across the room.

"Sab, you're a guest here, not paid. Stop flirting. What if he has a wife?" I reprimanded her, though I knew it was more of a friendly warning than a serious accusation.

"Oh, wow! Coming from you? You just got married and became a saint? You were worse than me before!" Sabbey retorted, her teasing voice carrying a hint of truth.

Ignoring her, I tried to focus on work, but Sabbey's constant chatter about handsome men made it impossible.

She kept bringing up my past, digging up memories I'd tried to bury. I had changed my life for Syd, given up smoking and all my bad habits. I wanted to be the best wife for him, but sometimes I missed the freedom of my old life.

"Don't even act! They're so handsome! Look! That one's so hot!" Sabbey squealed, gesturing excitedly towards another man. I couldn't help but sigh.

"You're so Killjoy! You used to brag to me that nothing would change you! Hmp!" She knew she was pushing my buttons, but I refused to engage.

"Hey, Sabbey Co! Be quiet, I'm getting disgusted with you. You're so noisy!" I finally snapped, my patience wearing thin.

"Oh, maybe you'll even refuse the alcohol? Hey! I'm just reminding you! You just got married, but you didn't become a nun!" she said, offering me a glass of vodka. I hesitated, the taste of alcohol a distant memory.

But a few moments later, I found myself holding a drink, feeling the familiar burn as it went down. It had been years since I'd last tasted alcohol.

"Hey, what's that drama? First time drinking? I don't know about you, Erin! I'm going crazy because of you!" Sabbey laughed, her voice echoing through the club.

Nadia, another friend, joined us, snatching my vodka and chugging it. "You know Erin's too under Syd," she teased, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Of course, she's afraid of her husband," Sabbey chimed in, adding fuel to the fire.

I knew they were just playing around, but it felt like they were taking a stab at my newfound life. They couldn't understand how I could leave behind the carefree days of flirting and smoking.

Nadia pointed to a man across the room. "That guy! You won't lose because he's a CEO of Acosta Corporation," she said, her voice full of suggestive energy.

I turned to see the man, Gonzalo, he was dressed impeccably, his physique radiating confidence.

"Just that?" I laughed, a nervous laugh, and approached Gonzalo. But before I could even say hello, I heard him say, "What, me? I have no problem, I'm happy with my wife."

He was married. My heart sank. I wasn't here to hurt anyone, but I didn't want to disappoint my friends. Suddenly, Nadia and Sabbey were pointing to something behind me, their eyes gleaming with amusement.

I turned to see what they were looking at, and I bumped right into Gonzalo.

"The hell!" I yelped, my dress stained with a sticky drink.

"Sorry miss, I didn't mean to," he said, his eyes wide with concern. I recognized him as the man from earlier, and as I looked at him, a wave of guilt washed over me. I was married, he was married.

"It's okay," I managed to say, my voice strained. He handed me a tissue.

"I'm so sorry miss, hmm... Here," he said, his voice soft.

I took the tissue and walked away, the incident leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. I felt a pang of regret for even attempting to flirt, a pang of remorse for how quickly I'd fallen back into my old ways.

Just as I was about to return to my table, a familiar voice stopped me.

"Erin?"

"Yes? I'm Erin," I replied, my mind struggling to place him.

"It's me, Kyre!" he exclaimed, his voice ringing with a familiar warmth. Kyre, my former partner at Vogue, and once, a lover.

"Oh, Kyre! Long time no see huh?" I responded, a flicker of awkwardness passing through me. I knew we'd both moved on, but his sudden appearance was unexpected.

"I thought you forgot me. By the way, I heard you married that guy?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of something I couldn't decipher.

"Yes, I'm married to Syd."

He laughed, a deep, resonant sound. "Why? Is there anything a problem?" he asked, his eyes probing mine. I couldn't shake the feeling that he knew something, something about Syd, something I didn't.

"Your husband, do you really know him? I mean, you know the real him?" he questioned, his words hanging in the air.

I was about to challenge him, to ask what he meant, but before I could speak, a strong hand grabbed my arm.

"Shut your fucking mouth! And stay away from my wife!"

I turned to see Syd, his face contorted with anger, his eyes burning with a possessive fire. I didn't have time to process what was happening, he pulled me towards the parking lot, my protests falling on deaf ears.

"Syd, what are you doing -," I tried to explain, but he didn't listen.

As we moved through the crowded club, I instinctively dropped my cigarette, the sudden realization of Syd's disapproval hitting me like a punch to the gut.

"Are you smoking?" he questioned, his voice laced with disapproval.

"I'm just trying," I began, but he cut me off, his gaze piercing.

"Why am I even asking? This is your business. It's not surprising anymore," he said, his words heavy with disappointment.

He turned away, leaving me feeling like a broken record, like I wasn't worthy of his trust.

"Let's go home," he said, his voice flat, emotionless.

I followed him to the car, a wave of anxiety washing over me. I had to explain myself, to apologize for my lapse in judgment. I felt like a child caught with her hand in the cookie jar, ready to face the consequences.

But as we drove through the silent city streets, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this, more to his anger, more to his disappointment.