Ding!

Emily had just stepped into the parking lot when her phone buzzed with a text.

She glanced at it instinctively. A short, chilling line popped up: [Don’t go to Jianghua Road. Danger!]

No name. Just a random number she didn’t recognize.

Jianghua Road was her usual route to Yisheng Art Gallery—also the fastest way there.

Her brows knitted slightly. Probably some spam or someone texting the wrong number, she figured.

Without giving it much thought, she slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine.

Rush hour was over, so traffic was smooth. As she waited for the light to turn green, her phone buzzed again.

She picked it up and saw the same number flash on screen, but this time with a different message.

[8:30 PM. Pile-up on Jianghua Road. Stay away!]

Emily froze, eyes narrowing. It was 8:23—just seven minutes away. Once the light changed, she'd only need a turn to get on Jianghua Road.

Before she could do anything else, a phone call popped up—Emma was calling.

It jolted her out of her thoughts, and she quickly answered. “Hello?”

“Emily, you forgot the watch you bought for Mr. Shaw.”Emily froze for a second. Right—it was her and Ethan Shaw’s third wedding anniversary today. They’d already planned how to celebrate, but three days ago he had to leave town on a last-minute business trip.

She’d bought the watch days before and kept it tucked away in a drawer.

She took it out earlier this evening, just so she wouldn’t forget.

Yet somehow, she'd still left it behind.

As soon as he called saying he was back, she grabbed her coat and phone and rushed out.

Thankfully, Emma Bennett had this habit of tidying up her office before heading home every evening.

“I’m heading back to get it now,” she told her over the phone.

As she ended the call, her eyes fell back on that strange text message. A few seconds later, a car honked behind her, snapping her out of it. The light had turned green. She shoved the phone aside and made a U-turn toward the art museum.

When she arrived, Emma was already waiting at the entrance with the watch in hand.

Emily approached and took it with a gentle smile. “Thanks.”

On her way back, she noticed one, two, three ambulances speeding down the road ahead, followed closely by several police cars and traffic motorcycles. The wail of sirens pierced the night air.

What the…

A tight feeling crept into her chest. She gripped the steering wheel a little harder without realizing it.

At the intersection, an officer waved her to a stop. “There’s been a multi-vehicle accident on Jianghua Road. No through traffic.”

Multi-vehicle accident?

Emily’s pulse quickened. Those two texts she'd brushed off as a prank? They suddenly didn’t feel like spam anymore.She couldn’t register a word the traffic officer was saying.

The autumn wind kept pouring into the car, but instead of feeling cold, she was breaking into a cold sweat.

It wasn’t until a powerful wave of panic and relief hit her chest that she snapped back to reality—the officer was already gone.

Remembering the text, she quickly pulled over, grabbed her phone, and opened the message app to type: [Who are you? How did you know there would be a pile-up on Jianghua Road?]

She hit send—only for a pop-up to appear: [Message failed to send.]

Frowning, she tried again. Still the same error.

She gave up and tapped the call button instead.

No ringtone. Just a dead screen with the words “Call Failed.”

What the hell?

She couldn’t send texts or make calls?

Confused, Emily Carter furrowed her brows, trying to make sense of it when Ethan Shaw’s call suddenly came in.

“Em, how much longer till you get here?”

His voice was calm and low, gentle like a breeze on a summer night—instantly soothing every ripple of unease in her heart.

“There was an accident on Jianghua Road. I have to take a detour.”Ethan instantly tensed up when he heard that. "An accident? Are you okay? Did you get hurt? Tell me where you are—I’ll come pick you up."

Emily let out a soft chuckle. "I’m fine. Already on my way back."

Ethan wasn’t convinced. He said a few more worried words before finally hanging up.

Emily decided not to dwell on the weird text anymore and started the car, taking a different route home.

By the time she got back, the smell of dinner was already wafting from the kitchen. Just as she changed out of her shoes, a tall figure wearing an apron came out.

He was still in his white dress shirt and black slacks, tall and well-built, with defined features and gold-rimmed glasses over warm, expressive eyes. But right now, his gaze was full of concern.

"You're really not hurt?"

Emily spun in a little circle and reassured him, putting extra emphasis in her tone, "Seriously, I’m fine. I just saw the police blocking cars on the way back."

Ethan looked her up and down, finally letting out a breath. "Thank God. After our call, I couldn’t even focus on cooking."

"You really didn’t have to cook. So much trouble. We could’ve just eaten out. You were on a plane for hours, you should’ve just relaxed."

Seeing he hadn’t even changed his clothes yet, Emily bit her lip slightly, eyes soft with affection.Ethan Shaw chuckled. "I'm not tired. Got some rest on the plane anyway. And hey, it’s our anniversary—I couldn’t take you to Paris for the Niebletai exhibition, so at least let me make a few of your favorite dishes to make it up to you."

In Emily Carter’s mind, Ethan came from a big-name family, tall, good-looking, always gentle and thoughtful—basically Mr. Perfect with a romantic streak.

Didn’t smoke or drink, never lost his temper, cooked well, and knew how to take care of people.

They dated for three years before getting married, and married three more. All these years, he never slacked off in doting on her.

Even with a housekeeper around, he’d still cook for her whenever he could, doing things totally not expected from someone with his background.

Honestly, Emily couldn’t find a single flaw in him.

She walked up, wrapped her arms around his waist, rested her face against his chest, closed her eyes, and softly said, "How are you so good to me?"

Ethan gently stroked the back of her head, speaking with a smile in his voice, "Silly, you’re my wife. If I’m not good to you, who else would I be good to?"

They stood like that a while until Ethan gave her a light pat on the back and kissed her on the temple. "The stove’s still on. Go upstairs, change clothes, wash your hands. Hungry? Just two more dishes and we’re good to eat."

Emily stepped out of his arms, gave a small nod, and went upstairs.

Ethan had romance in his bones. Every anniversary, he’d find new ways to surprise her.

Even with today’s little hiccup, he still pulled it off.By the time she came downstairs, the table was already set with candles and fresh flowers, and there was a shell-shaped diamond necklace placed on display.

Ethan Shaw gently helped her put it on, his gaze soft. “I saw it and immediately thought it’d look amazing on you. And I was right.”

Emily Carter thanked him and handed over the watch she’d picked out. “Thought this watch would suit you too.”

“Thanks, babe. Anything you choose, I’m into it.”

Ethan wrapped his arms around her, clearly ready to end their anniversary night on a sweet note. But Emily stopped him. “Period’s here.”

“Wasn’t it supposed to come next week?”

Emily looked up at him. “It’s usually super regular. Might shift a day or two but that’s it.”

Ethan froze for a second before burying his face in the crook of her neck, letting out a low chuckle. “Must be the wine messing with my head—I totally spaced.”

Emily didn’t dwell on it, truly thinking he’d just had one drink too many and forgot.

But three days later, the number that had gone completely quiet since the accident finally sent another message.

[Jinzhou Hotel. 9 PM. Room 1408. Ethan Shaw and Olivia Cooper.]