**Chapter 4: "Silent Suffering"**

The air in their hotel room was heavy with unspoken words, like a physical presence that pressed against Luiza's skin. She lay in bed, her eyes fixed on the ceiling as she tried to process the revelation she'd just received. The dim glow of the bedside lamp cast a faint light on Jack's profile, but he was oblivious to her gaze, his eyes fixed on his phone as he scrolled through messages. The room was a flimsy shield against the emotions that threatened to consume her. Luiza felt like she was drowning in a sea of pain and betrayal, unable to find a lifeline to cling to. She thought about all the times Jack had been evasive, all the times he'd brushed off her concerns, and it made her wonder if he'd been lying to her the entire time. As she turned onto her side, Jack looked up, sensing her movement. Their eyes met, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. Luiza saw the tension in his body, the way his jaw clenched ever so slightly, and she knew he sensed her anger. But neither of them spoke. The silence between them was oppressive, a living thing that pulsed with unspoken words. Luiza felt like she was suffocating under the weight of her emotions, unable to breathe, unable to think. She got out of bed and began to pace around the room, her bare feet making soft padding sounds on the carpet. Jack watched her, his eyes following her movements, but he didn't say a word. The minutes ticked by, each one stretching out like an eternity. Luiza's anger and hurt swirled together in a toxic mix, making her feel like she was going to explode. But she kept it all inside, refusing to give Jack the satisfaction of seeing her break down. As she walked, Luiza's mind replayed the conversation with Jasmine. The woman's words had cut deep, but it was the way she'd said them, with such casual cruelty, that really got under Luiza's skin. She thought about Jack, about the life they'd built together, and it made her wonder if it had all been a lie. Eventually, Luiza stopped pacing and stood by the window, staring out at the Melbourne night. The city was alive and vibrant, a kaleidoscope of colors and sounds, but she felt numb, disconnected from it all. She sensed Jack's presence behind her, but she didn't turn around. She knew if she looked at him, she'd see the guilt and regret in his eyes, and she wasn't sure she could handle it. "Luiza," Jack said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. But she didn't respond. She couldn't. The words were stuck in her throat, refusing to come out. The silence stretched out between them, a chasm that seemed impossible to bridge. Luiza felt like she was drowning in her emotions, and she didn't know how much longer she could keep it together. As the night wore on, Jack eventually got up and went to bed, his movements quiet and careful. Luiza heard him settle in beside her, but she didn't move, didn't turn to face him. She just lay there, her eyes fixed on the darkness outside, her heart heavy with pain and sorrow. The city outside was alive, but in their hotel room, the silence was oppressive, a reminder that their marriage was on the brink of collapse. And Luiza didn't know if it could be saved.