Chapter One: The Imperfect Surprise

ANNA WHITMORE

I stood in the middle of the candlelit dining room, my heart fluttering with anticipation. Everything was perfect, the vintage wine chilling in a silver bucket, the three-course dinner I had personally prepared and the soft jazz humming through the speakers. Our fifth anniversary. The one I had been dreaming about for months.

Tonight, I would surprise Abel with two things: the dinner… and the tiny ultrasound picture tucked inside the envelope I had placed next to his wine glass. I bit my lower lip just thinking about his reaction. A baby. Our baby. The one thing we had wanted for years.

I glanced at the clock. 7:45 PM. He said he’d be home by seven. Maybe traffic was bad?

I picked up my phone. No missed calls. No texts. I hesitated to call, Abel hated being bothered while driving. So I waited.

8:00 PM.

8:30 PM.

9:00 PM.

Still nothing.

My fingers trembled slightly as I reached for the wine to pour myself a glass. The soft clink of the bottle against glass echoed louder than I expected. I tried to calm the flutter of worry in my chest. Maybe he was planning his own surprise. Maybe he got held up at work.

But deep down, something itched at the back of my mind.

Something or someone.

We had an issue recently, thanks to my stepsister, Flora. I thought it was resolved. This anniversary dinner was partly an apology to him for that misunderstanding.

My phone buzzed silently, the screen lightening up, Flora name displayed on the screen.

I sighed while picking it up. What does she want now?

“Anna!” She called out. “Can we talk?” Her voice was urgent, almost too urgent.

“What is it? Is Father okay?” That was the only reason Flora would call me. Maybe father 's health dipped again or she is on to her usual schemy games.

“No, Anna. It's not about that.” I heard her scoff. “I just really need your attention right now. Can we talk?”

I leaned back against the couch, drumming my fingers on my lap. I didn’t know why, but unease prickled under my skin. I'm nervous.

Abel wasn’t home yet which was unusual enough and now my stepsister was calling at night?

“Flora, I'm busy and caught up right now. It's Abel's and my anniversary. I am not available tonight.”

“It's not like he is home yet.” She muttered, just loud enough for me to hear through the phone.

My stomach dropped. “What?”

“It's nothing. I just want to talk. It won't take much of your time. I'm outside your house.” A loud honk blared in the background, making me jump slightly. “I'm outside. I won't take much of your time. I promise.”

I checked the time again.

9:30pm.

Abel still wasn’t home.

Should I just call him?

Against my better judgment, I grabbed my jacket and stepped outside.

The night breeze was cold, biting at my cheeks, making me shiver slightly. Flora’s car was parked out front, sleek and polished, the family’s car, of course.

She stepped out with a bright smile, a wine bottle wrapped in gold paper in her hands.

“Sister!” She said cheerfully. “I'm glad you came out.” I smiled back.

I stayed still in front of her waiting for her to get to the point.

“I’m here to apologize for what happened,” she began, her tone dripping with sweetness. “I truly thought there was something between you and that man in the park. I didn’t know you were strangers.”

I remembered that day. At the park, the man had made me uncomfortable, kept trying to get too close until I left abruptly. I had no idea Flora had taken photos from a distance, photos that made it look far worse than it was and run straight to Abel.

Abel had been furious, possessive as always. I explained, and eventually he believed me. But why Flora had done it without asking me first… I still didn’t understand.

“You've apologized and I accepted. Is that what you are here for?” I asked.

She held the bottle out to me. “Your favorite wine. Consider it my anniversary gift to you both.”

I eyed her warily. Flora rarely bought me anything.

“You didn't have to.” I smiled, rubbing my hands together to provide warmth.

“I insist, sister.” Her voice dipped low, her eyes unreadable. She pushed the gift into my hand. I chuckled accepting the gift.

“Thank you Flora. And I hold nothing against you. You should head back home now. It's late.”

Flora nodded and glanced towards the house. “Is Abel not back yet? What is holding him up?”

“He is running late. He will be home soon.” I said, more to convince myself than her.

He will be home soon even though it's rare of him to do this without a message prior. I reassured myself.

“Then, another surprise is waiting for you tonight.” She said with a smirk.

I raised my brow, confused at her words. “What?” I asked sharply.

She waved her hand dismissively, slid into her car. Her engine roared to life, she pulled back and drove off.

I shrugged heading back inside.

Back inside, I unwrapped the wine and set it on the table. My gaze swept over the feast I’d prepared. The romantic air I’d felt earlier was gone, replaced by an uneasy chill in my chest.

Where is Abel? I should just call him. I can't keep waiting.

Just as I was about to dial his number, my phone buzzed. A message from an unknown number. My brows furrowed as I tapped to open it.

A single photo. Blurry. Taken from a low angle. But unmistakable.

Abel.

In a hotel hallway.

Holding Flora's waist.

My breath hitched.

No.

It couldn’t be.

He wouldn't.

My mind screamed as I scrolled. More photos followed, Abel entering a suite, Flora not far behind. Then a final image of him walking out of the room hours later, jacket wrinkled, shirt unbuttoned halfway, lips slightly red.

My phone slipped from my hand and clattered to the hardwood floor.

My stepsister.

My own blood.

Flora had always been jealous, always tried to copy me, my clothes, my dreams, even tried flirting with Abel once. But I had laughed it off. Flora was petty, not dangerous.

Or so I thought.

“Then, another surprise is waiting for you tonight.” Her words floated back into my mind. Her earlier words echoed in my head.

Is that what she meant by this? How dare she? What is going on? Why will Abel do this?

No! It can't be!

Flora just left here now. She just left! So that has to be false.

I picked up my phone and dialed Flora's number.

My hands shook as I dialed her number.

The phone rang repeatedly, no answer.

Again. Nothing.

“Argghh!” I shrieked lightly, shaking my head vigorously. “Dammit!” I shouted, my voice breaking.

I always knew Flora was after Abel but I thought she would back out. I thought she had backed out. I thought she stopped. She is my blood. She is petty but I never knew she could go this far.

What was I even thinking?

Is there a lot more I don't know?

I opened up the wine, poured a glass with trembling hands. I poured another and gulped it down. Another. The warmth hit my stomach but my head swam.

And Abel…

He never looked at Flora twice.

He tagged her as annoying and troublesome. Bad influence!

Abel would never. Would he?

I choked slightly and coughed out. Tears blurring my vision.

Abel…

I dialed his number… it rang repeatedly.

“Why isn't he picking up?” My words slurred as I slid to the floor, phone clutched to my chest. My vision blurred, tears hot against my cheeks.

Abel!” I muttered weakly, my head hurts, my heart hurts. What is happening?

I stood up weakly, reaching out for the cup to down the remaining wine. I slipped back and fell on the floor. I laid down, my head throbbing.

The phone vibrated again, Abel’s name flashing on the screen but my fingers felt

too heavy to pick up.

“Abel…” I whispered weakly. My phone incessant ringing and my consciousness slipping.

The darkness rushed in, swallowing me whole.