The Stranger's Text: Shattering Her Perfect Marriage

Rachel Davis had just reached the parking lot when her phone buzzed with a text message notification.

She instinctively opened it and read the message that came in from an unknown number. 

[Don't go to Golden Canopy Road. It's dangerous!]

Golden Canopy Road was the quickest route from her home to the Stargaze Gallery.

Rachel frowned, assuming it was a wrong number or spam. She ignored it and started her car.

The evening rush hour had passed, and the roads were clear. As she waited at a traffic light, her phone buzzed again.

She glanced at the screen and saw another warning message from the same number.

[At 8:30 p.m., there will be a multi-car pileup on Golden Canopy Road. Don't go!]

Rachel was taken aback. It was 8:23 p.m., and once the light turned green, she would be turning onto Golden Canopy Road.

Suddenly, her phone rang. It was her assistant, Carol White.

Rachel shook off her thoughts and answered the call, placing the phone to her ear.

"Rachel, you forgot to take the watch you bought for Mr. Martinez."

Rachel paused. Today was her third wedding anniversary with Steven Martinez. They had planned to celebrate, but he had to go on a business trip three days ago.

She had bought the watch days earlier and kept it in her desk to avoid forgetting it.

When Steven called to say he was back, she had grabbed her coat and phone in a hurry, leaving the watch behind.

Luckily, Carol had the habit of tidying up Rachel's office every evening.

"I'll come back to get it."

She hung up and glanced at the mysterious text message again. After a few seconds, the honking of a car behind her snapped her back to reality. The light had turned green. She put her phone down and turned the car around to head back to Stargaze Gallery.

When she arrived, Carol was already waiting at the door with the watch.

Rachel took it with a grateful smile. "Thanks."

On her way back, Rachel saw three ambulances speeding by, followed by several police cars and motorcycles. Their sirens pierced the night air.

What was going on?

Rachel felt a sense of unease. Her grip on the steering wheel tightened involuntarily.

At the intersection, a police officer stopped her car. "There's been a multi-car accident on Golden Canopy Road. No through traffic allowed."

A multi-car accident?

Rachel's heart raced as she recalled the two messages she had dismissed as pranks.

The officer said something, but she couldn't process it.

The cold autumn wind blew into the car, but she didn't feel any of it. Instead, she broke into a cold sweat.

The realization of her narrow escape hit her hard. She came back to her senses only after the officer had walked away.

Remembering the messages, she quickly pulled over and grabbed her phone. She typed a reply: [Who are you? How did you know about the pileup on Golden Canopy Road?]

The moment she hit send, an error message popped up: [Message failed to send.]

Rachel tried again, but each attempt resulted in the same error.

She decided to call the number, but the call wouldn't go through. What was going on? Rachel frowned in confusion. Before she could think about it further, a call from Steven came in.

"Rachel, how much longer until you get here?" Steven's voice was warm and soothing, melting away all her anxieties.

"There was an accident on Golden Canopy Road. I have to take a detour."

Steven's tone immediately turned anxious. "An accident? Are you okay? Are you hurt? Where are you? I'll come get you."

Rachel chuckled softly. "I'm fine. I'm on my way home now."

Steven, still worried, asked a few more questions.

Rachel stopped worrying about the mysterious messages and started her car again, taking a detour home.

When she arrived, the aroma of food wafted from the kitchen. She had just changed her shoes when Steven, wearing an apron, emerged.

Dressed in a white shirt and black pants, he looked tall and handsome, with a gentle and affectionate gaze behind his gold-rimmed glasses.

Though, at that moment, he seemed very anxious. "Are you sure you're not hurt?"

Rachel spun around with a smile, reassuring him, "I'm fine. The police were just blocking the road."

Steven scanned her from head to toe, finally relaxing. "As long as you're okay. After our call, I couldn't focus on cooking."

"Why did you start cooking? It's such a hassle. We could've just gone out. You should rest after your long flight."

Rachel's eyes softened as she noticed he hadn't even changed out of his travel clothes.

Steven smiled. "I'm not tired. I rested on the plane. Besides, today is our anniversary. Sorry I missed the art exhibit with you. I thought I'd make your favorite dishes to make it up to you."

In Rachel's eyes, Steven was the perfect husband—handsome, gentle, thoughtful, romantic, and attentive.

He didn't smoke or drink, was emotionally stable, and could cook.

They had dated for three years and been married for three more, and he had always been meticulous in caring for her.

Even with household help, he often cooked her favorite meals and did things that didn't match his status.

Rachel couldn't find any flaws in him.

She walked up to him, wrapped her arms around his waist, buried her face in his chest, and closed her eyes. "How are you so sweet?"

Steven gently stroked her head, his voice soft as he smiled. "Silly, you're my wife. How could I not be sweet to you?"

After a long hug, Steven patted her back and kissed her temple. "I still have the stove on. Go upstairs and change, and wash your hands. Are you hungry? Dinner will be ready in a couple of minutes."

Rachel stepped back and went upstairs.

Steven was inherently romantic, always surprising her on their anniversary.

This year, despite the unexpected events, he still had a surprise.

When she came back down, the dining table was set with candles and flowers, and a diamond shell necklace lay waiting.

Steven put it on her, his eyes tender. "I thought it would suit you when I bought it, and it does."

Rachel thanked him and gave him the watch she had prepared. "I thought this watch would suit you."

"Thank you, honey. Anything you choose, I love."

Steven pulled her into his arms, ready to seal the sweet anniversary with a kiss, but Rachel stopped him. "I got my period."

"Wasn't it supposed to be next week?"

Rachel looked up. "My period is always on time, give or take a day or two."

Steven paused, then buried his face in her neck, chuckling. "It's the alcohol! I got the dates mixed up."

Rachel didn't think much of it, assuming he had indeed mixed up the dates because he was drunk.

Three days later, the number that had warned her about the pileup sent another message.

[Sunbeam Hotel, 9 PM, Room 1408, Steven and Nancy Gonzalez.]