chapter Two: A Slight Change in the Air
The sun had barely risen when Lia opened her eyes in the penthouse bedroom. The light filtered through sheer ivory curtains, casting soft patterns on the marble floor. For a moment, everything felt still — almost too perfect.
Chris was already awake, standing near the wide windows, sipping coffee in his tailored robe. He looked out over the skyline, lost in thought.
Lia sat up, brushing a strand of hair from her face."You're up early," she said softly.
He turned with a half-smile."Couldn't sleep. Too much work on my mind."
She nodded and slipped out of bed, walking over to wrap her arms around him from behind. He didn't move for a second, then gently placed his hand over hers.
"Let's take a short honeymoon somewhere," she whispered."I wish I could," he replied, "but the company needs me this week. Maybe next month."
Lia didn't say anything. Just leaned her head against his back. She understood. At least, she tried to.
Later that day, she decided to explore the tower.Sky Sovereign was not just any skyscraper — it was a vertical city.
Pools, art galleries, private cafés, and rooftop gardens...It was in one of the garden lounges that she met her new neighbor.
"Hi. You must be Lia, right?"A striking woman with sharp cheekbones and crimson lipstick extended her hand.
"I'm Lisa. I live on the 125th floor — just a few below you."
They exchanged pleasantries. Lisa was charming, confident, and unmistakably beautiful — though in a different way than Lia.
"You and Chris are quite the power couple," Lisa commented with a knowing smile.Lia smiled politely, unsure how to respond."You know Chris?" she asked casually.
Lisa took a sip of her iced espresso."Only met him a few times... but he's hard to forget."
Something in her tone made Lia pause.
Not suspicion.Just... a flicker of unease.
That evening, as they sat across from each other at dinner, Lia noticed something.
Chris had laughed — genuinely — when reading a text.But when she asked what it was, he only said,"Just business. Nothing exciting."
He didn't show her the phone. He put it face-down.
It was nothing. It had to be nothing.Still, a small, cold breath of doubt crept into her chest.
And in the silence that followed, Lia found herself staring not at Chris…but at the man she thought she had married