Vows Lost in the Wind

I wiped away my tears and opened the dashcam viewing app.

It was something Sienna had downloaded on my phone to ease my mind. I trusted her back then, so I never bothered to check it.

The screen loaded, showing the real-time feed.

The interior of the car was dim, but the audio was crystal clear.

"Sienna, this song is so good. How about we make it our song?"

"Sure, you're the boss."

Then came the rustle of clothes, followed by a chorus of nauseating gasps.

I tapped the download button.

Once my tears had dried, only an icy emptiness remained.

At dawn, Sienna came home. She looked exhausted, but there was a glaring red mark on her neck.

In an instant, Archie's music account avatar flashed across my mind. It was a picture of a cute puppy.

It looked docile, innocent, and harmless.

Just like him. He always looked at people shyly, easily stirring up a protective instinct in others.

That was why I'd softened and sponsored him.

Sienna had clearly gotten lost in that facade.

She often complained that I was "too much of a businessman" or "too domineering".

It wasn't until now that I realized what she really needed was someone who could worship her completely.

"Babe, I'm so tired. I didn't sleep all night to work on that proposal," she complained with her eyes closed, waiting for me to hand her the hot towel and cup of warm water, like I always did.

But I didn't move.

"Shawn?" She opened her eyes in confusion when the usual service didn't come.

I looked at her, my voice parched and hollow. "Why do you smell like river water?"

Sienna stiffened for a moment before sitting up and adjusting her hair.

"Oh, the project team went to the riverbank for some fresh air last night. We had supper there."

"Was Archie there too?" I asked.

Her gaze flickered, but she quickly regained her usual confident stance.

"Yeah, he's an intern, so he joined us to learn. Shawn, I'm really glad you introduced him to the company. He's hardworking, and everyone likes him."

She walked over, reaching for my hand.

"By the way, he keeps saying he wants to thank you for sponsoring him."

I pulled my hand away and replied flatly, "I sponsored him to help him get an education, not to have him spend late nights with my girlfriend watching river views."

Sienna's expression darkened. "Shawn Baker, what's that supposed to mean? How could you put it that way? Everything between us is strictly business!"

"Strictly business? Why did you sync your playlists 688 times in the dead of night, then?"

I tossed the printed music report on the coffee table.

The papers scattered, and Sienna's pupils constricted.

After a moment, she sighed, like she was dealing with a petulant child. "All this over that? Shawn, you're being way too sensitive.

"This account is also logged in on the company laptop. Sometimes, when Archie works late, he uses my account to listen to music to stay awake. What's the big deal? He's my intern. Do you want me to log out just for this?"

She looked up at me. Disappointment was heavy in her voice as she continued, "I've been working myself to the bone for our future, and you're here, sitting at home, nitpicking over a few music logs. Shawn, can you be a little more mature?"

Mature?

I curled my lips bitterly.

We had been together for five years. I'd stuck by her through thick and thin, from nothing to where we were now.

Every time I asked for stability and marriage, she'd tell me the company was still growing and that she couldn't give me the best.

I understood, compromised, and spent my best years waiting.

Now she was complaining that I wasn't mature enough and that I couldn't tolerate her crossing boundaries with another man.

I smiled. "You should go take a shower. You stink."

Thinking I had given in, Sienna sighed in relief and headed for the bathroom.

The sound of water from the shower started.

I picked up her phone.

The password was still my birthday, something she thought was a sign of deep affection.

I unlocked it and opened WhatsApp.

The pinned chat wasn't with me, but with a group called "Project Team: File Transfer".

There were only two people in the group—her and Archie.