The Unraveled Vows BEGINING

~~~~ CHAPTER 1: PERFECT LIFE ~~~~

MONTGOMERY MANSION

ETHAN'S ROOM

Author's POV

Ethan blinked awake to the soft glow of morning sunlight filtering through the sheer curtains. He turned his head slightly and saw Rachel still asleep beside him, her face serene and untroubled.

He couldn't help but smile at how peaceful she looked, her chest rising and falling with each gentle breath. Carefully, so as not to wake her, he brushed a strand of hair from her face, marveling at how after all these years, she still stirred such a deep love within him.

He slipped out of bed and tiptoed to the bathroom, the cold tiles a sharp contrast to the warmth of their bedroom. As he stood in front of the mirror, brushing his teeth, he caught sight of his reflection.

The face staring back at him was that of a successful man—sharp jawline, piercing blue eyes, and a full head of dark hair with just a hint of silver at the temples. He was proud of what he had accomplished, but lately, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing.

Rachel stirred as he emerged from the bathroom, stretching her arms above her head.

Rachel Montgomery

"Morning, handsome"

She murmured, her voice still thick with sleep.

Ethan Montgomery

"Morning, beautiful"

He replied, leaning down to plant a kiss on her forehead.

Ethan Montgomery

"Sleep well?"

Rachel Montgomery

"Like a baby"

She said, smiling up at him.

Rachel Montgomery

"Are you ready for another day of conquering the business world?"

Ethan chuckled.

Ethan Montgomery

"As ready as I’ll ever be. What about you? Big plans for today?"

Rachel Montgomery

"Just the usual"

Rachel said, slipping out of bed and wrapping a robe around her slender frame.

Rachel Montgomery

"I have a meeting with the charity board this afternoon to discuss the upcoming fundraiser."

Ethan Montgomery

"That’s great"

Ethan said, genuinely admiring her dedication. Rachel’s work with the local charity was one of the things he loved most about her. She had a heart of gold and was always looking for ways to help those in need.

They shared a leisurely breakfast, Ethan reading the business section of the newspaper while Rachel prepared a fresh pot of coffee. They talked about their plans for the day, the conversation was easy and familiar. Yet, beneath the surface, Ethan felt a vague sense of unease, an unidentifiable longing that had been gnawing at him for weeks.

~~~At Work~~~

Ethan arrived at his sleek office building in the heart of downtown, the city already buzzing with activity. As he stepped out of his car, his assistant, Lisa, greeted him at the entrance.

Lisa [PA]

"Good morning, Mr. Montgomery"

Ethan Montgomery

"Morning"

Lisa [PA]

"You have a meeting with the board at 10, and a conference call with the London office at 11:30."

She said, handing him a stack of files.

Ethan Montgomery

"Thanks, Lisa"

Ethan said, taking the files.

Ethan Montgomery

"Anything else I need to know?"

Lisa [PA]

"Just that there’s a charity gala this evening. Your presence has been requested."

Ethan nodded

Mentally adding it to his already packed schedule. He walked into his office, a spacious corner room with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a panoramic view of the city.

He dropped the files on his desk and took a moment to take in the scene outside. The city was a living, breathing entity, always in motion, always striving. It reminded him of his own life—successful, dynamic, but constantly moving.

The morning flew by in a blur of meetings and conference calls. Ethan thrived in this environment; he was in his element, commanding respect and making strategic decisions that shaped the future of the company.

Yet, amidst the hustle and bustle, his thoughts occasionally drifted to the subtle feeling of discontent that had been plaguing him.

Lisa [PA]

"Mr. Montgomery"

Lisa's voice broke through his reverie.

Lisa [PA]

"Your 11:30 call with London is about to start."

Ethan Montgomery

"Thanks, Lisa"

he said, shaking off the lingering thoughts and refocusing on the task at hand.

Meanwhile

Rachel's Side

Across town, Rachel was busy at the local charity where she spent most of her days. The building, modest yet welcoming, was filled with the hustle and bustle of volunteers preparing for the upcoming fundraiser.

Rachel thrived in this environment, her energy and enthusiasm infectious to those around her.

Julie[volunteer]

"Good morning, Rachel"

Said Julie, one of the volunteers.

Julie[volunteer]

"We’ve got a lot to cover today. The board meeting is in an hour, and we need to finalize the guest list for the gala."

Rachel Montgomery

"Morning, Julie"

Rachel replied with a warm smile.

Rachel Montgomery

"I’m ready. Let’s get to work."

They spent the morning discussing the details of the fundraiser, ensuring every aspect was meticulously planned. Rachel was in her element, organizing tasks, coordinating volunteers, and making sure everything ran smoothly. Her dedication to the charity was well known, and she took great pride in the work they did to support the local community

During lunch, Rachel sat with Lena, her best friend and fellow volunteer. They found a quiet corner in the bustling cafeteria, enjoying a brief respite from their busy morning.

Lila Stevans

"So, how are things with Ethan?"

Lila asked, sipping her tea

Rachel Montgomery

"Good"

Rachel said, her eyes lighting up at the mention of her husband.

Rachel Montgomery

"He’s been really busy with work, but we’re doing well. We’ve been talking about starting a family soon."

Lila Stevans

"That’s wonderful"

Lila said, smiling.

Lila Stevans

"You two are perfect for each other. I’m sure you’ll make great parents."

Rachel felt a swell of happiness at the thought. She and Ethan had discussed having children, and the idea of expanding their family filled her with hope for the future. As she finished her lunch, she couldn’t help but feel grateful for the life they had built together.

Evening, At Home

As the day drew to a close, Ethan returned home, his mind still buzzing from the day’s activities. He walked through the front door and was greeted by the comforting aroma of Rachel’s cooking. She was in the kitchen, preparing their dinner with the same care and attention she put into everything she did.

Rachel Montgomery

"Hey, you,"

Rachel said, turning to smile at him.

Rachel Montgomery

"How was your day?"

Ethan Montgomery

"Busy, as usual"

Ethan replied

Setting his briefcase down and walking over to her. He wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.

Ethan Montgomery

"But it’s better now that I’m home."

Rachel leaned back into his embrace, feeling the tension in his body.

Rachel Montgomery

"You seem distracted lately. Is everything okay?"

Ethan hesitated for a moment before replying.

Ethan Montgomery

"Just a lot on my mind with work. Nothing to worry about."

They sat down to dinner, and while the conversation flowed easily, Ethan’s thoughts were elsewhere. He listened as Rachel talked about the preparations for the fundraiser, her eyes sparkling with excitement. He admired her passion and dedication, but he couldn’t shake the sense of something missing in his own life.

After dinner, they settled on the couch to watch a movie, a routine that had become a comforting end to their busy days. Rachel snuggled close to Ethan, resting her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her, but his mind was far away, replaying moments from the day and the inexplicable longing that had been gnawing at him.

As the credits rolled and the movie ended, Rachel glanced up at him, her brow furrowed with concern.

Rachel Montgomery

"Ethan, is there something you’re not telling me?"

Ethan looked down at her, forcing a reassuring smile.

Ethan Montgomery

"No, Rachel. Everything’s fine. Just tired, I guess."

She nodded, but the worry in her eyes didn’t dissipate.

Rachel Montgomery

"You know you can talk to me about anything, right?"

Ethan Montgomery

"Of course"

Ethan said, kissing her forehead.

Ethan Montgomery

"I love you, Rachel."

Rachel Montgomery

"I love you too,"

She replied, but the warmth in her voice was tinged with unease.

And Ethan he captured her lips

Ethan Montgomery

She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck, melting into the moment

Later that night, as Rachel slept beside him, Ethan lay awake, staring at the ceiling. His mind was a whirlpool of thoughts and emotions. He loved Rachel deeply, but he couldn’t deny the restlessness that had settled in his heart.

It was as if he were standing on the edge of a precipice, looking down at the life he had built and wondering if it was enough. It was as if he were standing on the edge of a precipice, looking down at the life he had built and wondering if it was enough. As the hours ticked by, Ethan knew he needed to find answers.

He couldn’t keep living with this sense of discontent, but he also couldn’t bear the thought of hurting Rachel. He vowed to himself that he would figure out what was missing and find a way to bring peace back into his heart without shattering the perfect life they had worked so hard to create.

To be continued

Author[Noor]

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