JohnAt a rare lunch at the Walker mansion, John had no choice but to bring Elizabeth, pressured by his grandfather’s insistence. During the meal, John and Elizabeth remained silent. They exchanged only a few words, merely trying to keep up appearances. If Oliver noticed the distance between them, he chose not to comment. He seemed more interested in savoring the roast prepared especially for the occasion.Catherine, Martha’s younger sister, was the opposite of the atmosphere: vibrant, chatty, and visibly oblivious to the tension between the couple. In a way, John was grateful that she talked nonstop, so he didn’t have to interact.She spoke animatedly about her latest trip to Greece, enthusiastically describing the ruins of Santorini and the unbelievable blue of the Aegean Sea. Until, that is, she interrupted her own story and pointed her fork in John’s direction, as if making an accusation:“John, why haven’t you two gone on your honeymoon yet?”The silence at the table seemed to f

As soon as they were alone, Oliver turned to the young woman beside him with a gentle smile.“Tell me, dear, how is married life?”“We’re fine. John is very busy, but we make the most of the moments we have together,” Elizabeth said, not lying. That was why she looked away, uncomfortable. “I see…” murmured the old man, his experienced eyes closely observing every nuance of her expression.On the table lay a beautiful chessboard. The hand-carved pieces glistened in the soft light. Elizabeth remembered the gift John had given her grandfather.“Is that the board John gave you?” she asked, admiring the pieces.“Yes. It’s a beautiful set. Would you like to play?”“Sure.”They played for about an hour. Elizabeth proved to be a natural strategist, making it difficult for Oliver to win.“Checkmate,” he said finally, with a satisfied smile. “You play very well. You didn’t make it easy at all.”“It was a tough game.” “It’s almost an hour until tea. You haven’t really seen the mansion yet. Wha

JohnIn the office, John held his cell phone, waiting for a new message that never came. He had paused while reviewing an important contract with Bruce, but when he saw Elizabeth’s message on the screen, he stopped immediately. It was so rare for her to text that, for a moment, he grew concerned.When the exchange ended with a simple “Okay,” he felt like throwing the phone against the wall. He sighed deeply. Elizabeth intrigued him and annoyed him at the same time.“Bruce, I want to see my wife’s credit card statement.”Bruce looked up, surprised. John Walker, interrupting a crucial meeting to check a message… and now asking for his wife’s credit card statement? It had been months since he’d shown any interest. “Just a moment, sir,” he said, picking up the tablet.A few minutes later, he handed the device over. John practically snatched it from his hands.He couldn’t believe it.With an unlimited card, Elizabeth’s expenses were minimal—a single purchase of slightly higher value,

ElizabethSlowly, Elizabeth tried to open her eyes, her consciousness returning like a mistA sharp twinge in her ankle, then a dull pressure in her head, throbbing, pulsing like a muffled drum inside her skull.Elizabeth groaned softly, her eyes still closed. The cold rain pelted her face, mixing with the blood running down her forehead. Her whole body ached, but it was the cold that seemed to hurt the most, as if it were reaching her bonesWith difficulty, she opened her eyes. Everything was spinning.For a moment, she didn’t know where she was. It was all dark above her, the twisted branches of the trees and the sound of rain pounding the forest around her. The ground beneath her body was hard, wet, and there were leaves stuck to her skin, her hair, her face.She tried to move her leg, but her ankle protested with a sharp pain. She let out a weak, desperate cry.“Ah…” she gasped, trying to hold back her tears. “No… no… oh God, help me.”She wanted to get up, but her body wouldn’t o

ElizabethElizabeth woke slowly as she felt the soft sunlight filtering through the bedroom curtains. Her eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the gentle light. For a moment, she just stared at the white ceiling, listening to the rhythmic beep of the heart monitor beside her.She tried to move. She brought her hand to her forehead, feeling the thick bandage there, remembering the fall, the rain… and John.“He found me…”Alice, who had been fiddling with her cell phone, stood up immediately as soon as she saw that Elizabeth had woken up.“Ma’am, how are you feeling?”Elizabeth looked at the nurse and had a moment of confusion before remembering what was happening.“I think I’m fine.” In truth, she was bothered by the IVs in her arm and the monitors attached to her body. “Would you like some water?” the nurse asked.“Yes.”Immediately, the nurse helped her drink some water.Alice approached, adjusting the pillow behind her head.“Dr. Saints asked me to let him know as soon as you wake up s