Chapter 13:Shadows of Doubt

Got it! Lian is Kai and Mei's daughter, and

Fourteen years had passed since Mei and Kai defied all odds, built their tea empire, and raised their daughter, Lian. She was the light of their lives—a bright, inquisitive girl with Kai's sharp mind and Mei's resilient spirit. Their family had flourished, but lately, something had shifted.

Mei felt it in the small, unspoken things. The way Kai lingered too long in thought. The quiet moments that used to bring them peace now felt heavy with something unspoken.

And then there was Ranni.

At first, Mei hadn't thought much of the woman. She was a merchant, involved in securing trade routes for their tea business. Mei had met her a few times—polite, well-spoken, always professional. But lately, Kai had been spending too much time with her.

At first, it was just business meetings. Then, it was late-night discussions. Then, it became whispers of Ranni's name in conversations Kai never meant for Mei to hear.

It wasn't like Kai to be secretive. For fourteen years, they had built a marriage on trust. But doubt had a way of creeping in, filling the spaces between words, turning silence into suspicion.

That night, Mei sat across from Kai at the dinner table, watching him closely. Lian chatted happily about her lessons, her young voice full of excitement. Kai smiled and nodded along, but his eyes were distant.

Mei clenched her chopsticks. Enough was enough.

After dinner, when Lian had gone to bed, Mei found Kai outside, staring at the stars. The cool evening breeze carried the scent of blooming jasmine.

"Kai," she said quietly, standing beside him. "We need to talk."

He turned to her, surprise flickering in his gaze. "What is it?"

Mei hesitated for only a moment before she said, "It's Ranni. You've been seeing her often. More than just business."

Kai's brows furrowed. "Mei—"

"Don't tell me it's nothing," she cut in, her voice sharp. "I see the way you change when her name comes up. The late nights. The way you keep things from me."

Kai exhaled, rubbing his forehead. "Mei, it's not what you think."

"Then tell me what it is," she challenged.

Silence.

That silence was more painful than any words he could have spoken.

Mei's heart pounded. She had never been one to doubt Kai, but for the first time, she wasn't sure she truly knew what was going on in his heart.

"Kai…" she whispered, voice breaking. "Are you hiding something from me?"

He looked at her then, eyes filled with something she couldn't quite name. Regret? Guilt? Pain?

"Mei," he finally said, "I swear to you, I would never betray you."

"Then what is it?"

Kai sighed heavily. "I should have told you sooner. Ranni… she's not what you think she is. She came to me with a secret—a matter involving our business, and I didn't want to worry you until I had all the answers."

Mei narrowed her eyes. "What kind of secret?"

Kai hesitated. "I need you to trust me."

Mei's chest tightened. Trust. She wanted to, more than anything. But trust was a fragile thing, and tonight, it felt like it was slipping through her fingers.