The house was eerily silent, with the clock ticking loudly in the background. Sumi sat on the living room couch, her phone clutched in her hand as she stared at the unanswered call on the screen. It was nearly midnight, and Alin still hadn't come home.
"Still waiting for him?" a sharp voice cut through the silence.
Sumi turned to see her mother-in-law, Anjali, standing at the foot of the stairs, her silk robe tied neatly around her waist. Anjali's eyes were sharp, her presence commanding as always.
"Yes, he's not answering his phone," Sumi replied, her voice quieter than she intended.
Anjali folded her arms, her expression unreadable. "He's at the company's party, isn't he? It's a big night for him. You should've been there, Sumi. It's your duty as his wife."
Sumi winced but kept her voice steady. "I... wasn't feeling up to it. And he didn't insist that I join him."
Anjali raised an eyebrow, her tone laced with subtle reproach. "Of course, he wouldn't insist. But as the CEO's wife, you should know better. Your absence will raise questions. People notice these things, Sumi."
Sumi looked away, guilt creeping in. It wasn't just the party she'd avoided. Lately, there had been a growing distance between her and Alin, one she didn't know how to bridge.
"Do you even know what time he'll be back?" Anjali pressed, her voice softening, though it still carried an edge.
"I've called him a few times, but... no answer." Sumi sighed. "I'm worried, honestly."
Anjali tilted her head, studying her. "If you're so concerned, why don't you go to the party and find him? It's better than sitting here and fretting."
"I don't want to disturb him," Sumi murmured, though she wasn't sure she believed her own words.
"Disturb him?" Anjali scoffed. "You're his wife, Sumi. You have every right to be there. In fact, you should've been there from the start. If you keep pushing him away, don't be surprised if the gap between you two grows wider."
The words stung, but they rang with truth. Before Sumi could respond, her phone buzzed. She looked down to see a text from Alin:
I'm at the party. Couldn't pick up your call. I'm sorry.
A wave of relief washed over her. She quickly typed back, I'll be there in a minute. Don't leave.
Anjali gave a faint, satisfied smile, as if she'd been the one to resolve the situation. "Good. Go to him. And make sure you look presentable. You're a reflection of him, Sumi. Don't forget that."
Sumi swallowed the retort bubbling in her throat. Instead, she simply nodded. "I'll go get ready."
Upstairs, Sumi slipped into a sleek black dress, paired with simple earrings and a touch of lipstick. As she stared at her reflection, doubts crept into her mind. Would Alin be happy to see her? Or would he resent her sudden arrival after she'd declined his invitation earlier?
Pushing the thoughts aside, she grabbed her purse and headed downstairs. Anjali was still waiting in the living room, her arms crossed.
"Good," her mother-in-law said, giving her an approving once-over. "Now go. And Sumi..." She paused, her voice softer this time. "Take care of him. He works harder than he should, and he needs you-whether he says it or not."
Sumi nodded, her heart heavy with a mix of guilt and determination. "I will."
With that, she stepped out into the cool night air, her thoughts racing as she drove toward the venue. She wasn't sure what awaited her at the party, but she knew one thing-she couldn't let the distance between her and Alin grow any further.