The Best Man's Secret

Chapter 21: A Shocking Revelation

The peaceful routine of Ella and Ryder's romantic getaway began to feel like a distant memory as they returned to their everyday lives. The pressures and complications of their world awaited them, and the serenity of their recent escape was quickly overshadowed by a new, unsettling development.

It all started with a phone call that came on a crisp autumn morning, just days after their return. Ryder's face paled as he answered the call, his brow furrowing in concern. Ella watched him from across the kitchen, her heart sinking at the look of worry etched on his face.

"Is everything okay?" Ella asked, her voice laced with concern.

Ryder nodded absentmindedly, trying to mask the gravity of the situation. "It's nothing major. Just some issues with the business that need my attention."

Ella wasn't convinced. Ryder's tone was too tight, and his eyes betrayed a deeper anxiety. "You can tell me if something's wrong, you know."

Ryder sighed, placing the phone down with a heavy hand. "It's just... there's been a problem with some of the accounts. I need to go to the office and sort it out."

Ella's concern deepened. "Do you want me to come with you?"

Ryder shook his head, offering a weak smile. "No, it's best if you stay here. I don't want you getting caught up in this mess. I'll handle it."

As Ryder left for the office, Ella felt a gnawing sense of unease. She tried to focus on her own tasks, but the day dragged on in a haze of worry. The hours seemed to stretch endlessly until Ryder finally returned late in the evening, his demeanor even more somber than before.

"How did it go?" Ella asked, meeting him at the door.

"It's... complicated," Ryder said, running a hand through his hair. "There's more to it than I thought. I need to look into it further tomorrow."

Ella could see the exhaustion in Ryder's eyes, but he was reluctant to share more. The air between them was thick with unspoken tension, and Ella knew that something significant was looming.

The next day, Ryder was once again consumed by the mysterious business issues. Ella decided to give him space, but her worry only grew as the days passed. Ryder's frequent phone calls and late-night work sessions left her feeling increasingly isolated.

Then, a week later, everything changed with a phone call that rocked their world. Ella was in the middle of making dinner when the call came in. It was from Ryder's assistant, Emily, and the urgency in her voice was unmistakable.

"Ella, you need to come to the office right away. There's something you need to see."

Ella's heart raced as she agreed to meet Emily. She arrived at the office in a state of anxious anticipation, her mind racing with possibilities. Emily greeted her with a worried look and led her to Ryder's office.

Inside, the office was dimly lit, and Ryder was pacing back and forth, his face etched with deep concern. When he saw Ella, he stopped and took a deep breath.

"Ella, I'm sorry you had to find out like this," Ryder said, his voice strained. "There's something I need to tell you."

Ella's stomach churned with apprehension. "What's going on?"

Ryder's eyes met hers, filled with a mix of regret and determination. "I've been hiding something from you. There's been a lot going on with the business, but it's more than just financial trouble."

He paused, as if gathering his thoughts. "I discovered that someone has been embezzling funds from the company. I've been trying to get to the bottom of it, but it's more complicated than I thought. The person responsible is someone I trusted."