11. Fighting Because of a Kiss Mark

The wall clock in the family living room showed eight in the morning when the front door of the house opened.

Liora stepped inside slowly. The morning air was still cold, yet her body felt warm—not because of the weather, but because of feelings that had not fully settled since last night. A small bag still hung from her shoulder, her hair slightly messy even though she had tidied it up as best she could.

But her steps stopped immediately.

In the living room, Daren was sitting on the sofa in work clothes he had not yet changed out of. Beside him, Martina was holding a cup of warm tea. Both of them turned their heads almost at the same time toward Liora.

Degh!

Liora’s heart pounded hard.

“Daren!”

‘It’s strange that he’s already home this early … did he lose his memory? This isn’t like him at all,’ she wondered inwardly.

‘Usually, when he’s with Camelia, he always loses track of time,’ Liora took a short breath. ‘Ah, why am I even thinking about it. Whether he comes home early or not, it’s no longer my concern.’

Liora intended to walk past the living room without greeting them. But after only a few steps, Daren’s voice stopped her.

“Liora.”

The tone sounded restrained, not angry—more like emotions that had been bottled up.

Liora stopped, but did not turn around.

“Where have you been?” Daren continued as he stood up. “You didn’t come home last night. Your phone was turned off. Whose house did you sleep at, and with whom?” Daren moved closer. There was curiosity mixed with unease in his eyes.

Liora finally turned around. Her gaze was flat. “I’m bored at home,” she replied curtly. “There’s nothing wrong with me looking for entertainment outside, right? Besides, you yourself weren’t at home either.”

Martina immediately set her cup down with a soft but clear sound.

“Hey, Liora,” she said cynically. “You’re just a wife. Your duty is at home—serving your husband and welcoming him home from work.”

Liora clenched her fingers.

“Instead, you’re wandering around all night,” Martina continued. “Don’t tell me you’re the one having an affair?” Martina’s gaze was sharp, as if trying to press her down.

Liora held her breath. Her chest rose and fell slowly. She did not want to respond to her mother-in-law’s words. Because she knew, if she did, it would only lead to another argument.

“I’m tired,” she said coldly. “I’m going to my room.”

Without waiting for permission, Liora walked up the stairs. Her back was straight, but her steps felt heavy. She could feel Daren’s gaze following her, but she did not care.

“Look at your wife, she’s getting bold now!” Martina glanced at Daren briefly, then stared angrily at Liora’s back.

“That’s enough, Mom. Don’t make it bigger than it is. Maybe she’s tired.”

“Tch! Tired? What is she even tired from?” Martina snapped. Daren remained silent.

Inside the bedroom, Liora closed the door and leaned against it for a moment. Her hands trembled slightly. Soon after, she went into the bathroom, letting warm water pour over her body.

But her mind did not calm down. Martina’s voice, Daren’s gaze, and last night’s memories spun uncontrollably.

After showering, Liora put on her home pajamas. Her hair was still half wet as she sat on the edge of the bed.

The bedroom door opened slowly.

Daren walked in.

“Why have you become so cold like this?” he asked more gently. “I’m just worried.”

Liora did not answer.

Daren moved closer and sat beside her. His hand reached out, trying to touch Liora’s fingers.

“We don’t need to argue this early in the morning,” he said softly. “I miss you.”

Liora pulled her hand away, but Daren did not give up. He leaned closer, intending to kiss Liora’s lips.

“Don’t do this,” Liora turned her head quickly.

But the movement caused her collar to shift slightly.

Degh!

Daren froze. His eyes fixed on one spot on Liora’s neck.

Red. Clearly visible. Not an ordinary mark, like a mosquito bite. But—

‘Wait, that red mark isn’t a mosquito bite! That’s a kiss ma—’

Daren could not finish the thought. He stared intensely at Liora.

“Kiss mark?” he murmured almost inaudibly.

Liora reflexively covered her neck when she realized her husband was staring at that area. ‘Please, let Daren not see that mark,’ Liora panicked, full of hope.

But Liora’s hope shattered when Daren’s hands began gripping both sides of her arms.

“Why is there a mark on your neck?” Daren’s voice changed. “Who did this to you, Liora?”

Silence.

Liora stood up, keeping her distance.

“W-what business is it of yours?” she replied coldly.

Daren stood up. His jaw hardened. “Of course it’s my business, because you’re my wife!”

Daren tightly grabbed Liora’s wrist. “Did you hear me? You are my wife, Liora!” he shouted. “So I have to know about that mark, and you have to be honest with me!” he pressed.

Hearing Daren’s words, Liora could only smile sarcastically.

“Tch! Do you even realize what you just said? Have you ever carried out your duty as my husband all this time, huh?” Liora pressed her hand against Daren’s chest.

“So don’t care too much about me. Because all this time, you have never carried out your duty as my husband at all!” she replied coldly.

Daren fell silent after hearing Liora’s words, which he knew were true. Because all this time, he had never played his role as a good and responsible husband to Liora, his wife.

Seeing her husband’s silence, Liora stepped a little closer to Daren and extended her right hand. She then gently stroked Daren’s long neck.

“Didn’t you ask earlier about the kiss mark on my neck? Now, I want you to be honest. Explain this—what is it?” Liora asked, her touch turning rough as her gaze sharpened.

Degh!

“I-it is .…”

“What is it?” Liora snapped.

“L-love, this isn’t a kiss mark like what you’re thinking!”

“Oh, really? Is that red mark from a mosquito bite, or did someone deliberately put it there?” Liora mocked, instantly leaving Daren speechless.

Daren felt utterly defeated; he could not answer what his wife had said. ‘Has Liora started to suspect that I have another woman out there? No, this can’t happen. I don’t want Liora to get angry and ruin my plans,’ Daren panicked inwardly.

Daren stood frozen. It was unusual for him to see emotions on his wife’s face like this—someone he had always known well and loved deeply.

Seeing her husband’s silence, Liora could only snort.

“We’re even, aren’t we?”

Daren remained silent. Those words struck harder than any shout his wife had thrown at him. There was a feeling of unwillingness, especially at the thought of another man touching his wife. But he could not say anything; he could only stay quiet.

Meanwhile, Liora began to walk away.

“Leave first,” she said softly but firmly. “I don’t want to talk right now.”

Daren stared at Liora for a long time before finally turning around and leaving the room. As the door closed with a soft sound, the distance between them felt wider than ever.

“Okay, we’ll continue this later. I hope when we talk again, we won’t be emotional anymore,” Daren said before leaving.

Liora did not answer; she only let out a rough sigh.

‘What else is there left for us to talk about, Daren. Honestly, I’m tired. But somehow, I still don’t want to separate from you. Truly. I still hope we can fix everything. But I feel like everything is getting heavier,’ Liora cried silently.

Her chest tightened even more as she remembered the lack of boundaries between herself and Daren. Especially with Ethan and Camelia standing between them, which would surely make her relationship with Daren difficult to mend and reunite.