There were many times in my life when I felt like the luckiest woman alive. One of those times was when I married Siddharth—my perfect husband. He was everything I could have asked for: kind, sweet, and loving. He always called me his princess and treated me as if I truly was one. He cared for me deeply, especially when I was sick, making me feel cherished every day. Our life seemed perfect; he was mine, and I was his.

But then, something changed. She came into our lives—Pari. When I first saw her, her name felt right. She was beautiful in a way that seemed almost magical. Her laugh was warm, her smile captivating. She spoke with a charm that drew people in. But what I missed was how she looked at Siddharth.

Her presence slowly tore apart the life we had built. The cracks started to show, and the happiness we had seemed to slip away. I need to tell you how it all began, the day everything started to fall apart.

****

One year ago

"What will you have for dinner, Sid?" I asked my husband, spreading butter on the toast. He was my dream—tall, dark, and handsome. But it was his charm that truly captivated me. His voice was a velvety lure, and his eyes seemed to pull me in like gravity.

"Anything," he replied absently, eyes glued to his phone.

"Sid, how's your project going?" I inquired, a note of concern creeping into my voice. He had risen swiftly in his company, now a Senior Assistant Executive within a year. But I could sense his dissatisfaction with the position. Ambition was admirable, but neglecting his well-being wasn’t.

He sighed heavily, noticing my worried expression.

"Princess, I promise we'll go on a date this week," he said, setting aside his phone and gently touching my hand.

"It's not just about a date or dinner," I said, glancing at the dark circles under his eyes-telltale signs of sleepless nights. Those same sleepless nights I had endured. My insomnia had been relentless until I met him, transforming my restless hours into nights of passion and dreams. I loved him deeply, so much that my every action seemed tethered to him. If he couldn't fall asleep, I couldn't either.

"But I want to achieve my dream—the dream of building a palace for my princess," he said, his dimples flashing with his smile.

"I don’t want a palace," I replied softly, my cheeks flushing under his intense gaze. "I want a home, a home with you around."

"My princess deserves a palace, and I won't stop until I build one for her," he vowed, his grey eyes sparkling with unspoken emotions. I wasn’t sure if those emotions were love, but his feelings for me were evident.

"Then I promise to always stand by your side, no matter what happens, always support you," I assured him.

"And I promise to be your shade, your entertainer, and your friend," he said, sealing his promise with a kiss.

"Are you friend-zoning me, mister?" I teased playfully.

"Yes, well, you're the only friend I’ve ever had," he said, tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear.

"And the only girl you’ll ever call princess?" I asked, raising an eyebrow as his face turned a delicate shade of pink.

"Yes, I promise you’ll be my princess forever," he said, his eyes gleaming with a sincerity that made me smile like a lovesick fool.

"Let’s promise never to break any of our promises," I said, approaching him to adjust his tie and straighten his collar.

"I promise," he said, our eyes locked in a moment of deep connection. His grey eyes searched mine, and his breath hitched as my cold fingers traced his neck. I cupped his cheeks, kissed him gently on the cheek, and whispered those three words. He nodded, his gaze intense, though he never echoed the sentiment. I forced a smile, trying to hide the ache that was slowly taking root in my heart.

"I should head to work now," he said, glancing at his phone as he stood up. I helped him into his blazer and stole one last kiss before bidding him goodbye.

As I sipped my hot ginger tea on the balcony, letting the morning breeze kiss my face, I felt a pang of loneliness. After an hour, I left for school. As the principal, I had the luxury of arriving an hour late, a small comfort in my busy life.

Teaching had always been my joy. I had found solace in sharing knowledge, especially after my younger brother struggled with dyslexia. I’d spent countless hours inventing new ways to help him understand. This passion extended to teaching my cousins and, eventually, my students. I thrived on seeing each child's unique brilliance and treated them as individuals, crafting methods to help them flourish.

Yet, despite the joy of teaching, the teenagers often left us teachers exasperated. Their rebellious antics, from skipping class to sneaking smokes, were a constant challenge. Rather than punishing them, I encouraged my staff to ease up on the rules. Maybe, if the thrill of breaking rules diminished, the excitement would lessen, too.

There’s an adrenaline rush in defying rules, a thrill that provides a sense of freedom. What if there were no rules at all? The lack of fear and excitement might make everything seem mundane. I wish I had applied this principle to my love life too, given up too soon, I wished I had not made it so exciting for the two of them by being a constant obstacle. By giving them the adrenaline rush as they met secretly behind my back to fulfill their wicked desires. I was his wife, wasn't I? My role had shifted from loving wife to an unwitting antagonist in their hidden romance.

****

The first chapter did finally. Do tell me your thoughts.

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