Chapter 3

“You still don’t have a girlfriend?” Dent commented when he found out that Xavier, at twenty-four, was still single. Even though he was handsome and charming. What woman would turn down a date with the Xavier of today? Even if they saw what he looked like in the past, I doubt they’d care about that.

I glanced at the person Dent was teasing. Xavier simply kept eating, silent and completely unfazed.

“You should try enjoying your youth, Xav. Find a woman and take her out on dates. Don’t waste the genes Mom and Dad gave you,” Dent advised.

“I’ll give my genes to the woman I want,” Xavier replied, directing his gaze at me.

At me.

I have no idea what he meant, but he clearly said it while glancing in my direction.

Dent just laughed and slapped Xavier’s broad shoulder. Our dining table was always lively with Dent’s chatter. As usual, he talked about his work at the office—how it drained his time and energy, but he still enjoyed it because it was his field of expertise.

Meanwhile, Xavier and I simply listened in silence.

But our eyes locked.

It felt like there was a magnet between us, holding our gazes in place. I quickly looked away and turned to Dent, who had just finished speaking. Honestly, I had no idea what he’d been talking about.

“That’s good. I’m glad you’re happy with your job.”

Dent smiled and lightly pinched my chin. “Thanks, sweetheart,” he whispered in front of Xavier, who was watching us while wiping his lips with a napkin.

Then he stood up.

“I’m done. I’ll head back to my room,” Xavier said coldly before leaving just like that.

I glanced at his plate. It was still mostly full. He had barely eaten.

Even though I could tell something was off with Xavier, I tried to ignore it and focus on Dent instead. We finished dinner together before washing the dishes side by side at the sink. Dent grabbed my hand and looked at the bandage on my finger.

“I just noticed. You’re hurt?”

The memory of Xavier suddenly flooded my mind. The warmth of his mouth and the brush of his tongue against my finger came rushing back, making me instinctively pull my hand away from Dent.

The awkwardness hit me immediately. I shouldn’t be reacting like that with my husband.

“It’s just a small cut from the knife. I wasn’t being careful.”

“In that case, let me handle the dishes. You go sit down.” Dent gestured toward the chair behind us.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and gave his cheek a quick kiss. “You’re such an understanding husband.”

Dent chuckled softly and went back to focusing on the dishes in the sink.

Meanwhile, I simply watched him from behind.

The image of Dent’s strong body lingered in my mind. I wondered what it would feel like if we made love here. Maybe the sensation would be different.

But I knew Dent wasn’t the kind of man who liked doing things wildly or in inappropriate places.

To Dent, even sex had rules and proper manners.

I stood up and hugged him from behind.

“Are you busy tonight?” I whispered, my hand brushing across his broad chest.

Dent turned his head slightly. “Yeah, I’ve got a few files to review before submitting them to my boss tomorrow. Why, sweetheart? Do you want something?” he asked while shaking the water off his hands and wiping them with a small towel before turning to face me.

“Nothing. Just asking,” I replied calmly, even though a small part of me felt disappointed.

Even though I tried to understand Dent’s busy schedule and kept telling myself to be a supportive wife, those positive thoughts turned out to be useless.

I collapsed under my desire again.

After Dent fell asleep, I slipped out of the bedroom and sat at the dining table.

Doing it again.

Alone.

My fingers desperately searching for the pleasure I had been craving.

I closed my eyes, trying to relax.

I whispered Dent’s name between my uneven breaths, with every movement of my fingers. Trying to picture him in my mind.

But damn it.

Instead, the image that appeared was Xavier—naked, with my finger in his mouth.

I gasped at the memory.

My mind kept replaying moments with Xavier over and over, ignoring how strongly my heart resisted it. That conflict made me restless. I leaned my head back against the chair and stared up at the ceiling.

I shouldn’t be thinking about Xavier at a moment like this.

But no matter how hard I tried to fight it, I couldn’t pull my hand away from my body as the sensation carried me along.

Softly, I moaned his name.

“Xavier…” I breathed.

Just as I was about to reach that point, I opened my eyes slightly—and saw him standing there.

Shirtless. Only wearing thin sleep pants.

My half-open eyes assumed it was nothing but an illusion my mind had created.

“Xavier, I—”

My body tensed as the release finally hit me.

I gasped for breath. The satisfaction washed over me, and the weight I had been carrying for days seemed to disappear.

But when I blinked and rubbed my eyes, the figure of Xavier standing there didn’t disappear.

He was still there.

Real. Clear.

I immediately jumped up from the chair, staring wide-eyed as Xavier turned off the phone in his hand.

“You… you saw that?”

“I saw it. And I heard everything you moaned.”

The pleasure I had just felt was instantly replaced by shame, fear, and anxiety.

How could I be this careless?

Why didn’t I realize he was there? Why did I think it was just my imagination?

Why are you so stupid, Olivia?

Xavier walked closer and showed me his phone.

I was on the video.

Touching myself. Calling my brother-in-law’s name until I reached my peak.

Humiliating.

“I could show this to Dent,” Xavier said, leaning closer and whispering, “so he can see that his good wife actually has a pretty bad habit.”

My breath caught in my throat. My whole body turned cold with fear.

“Don’t tell Dent!”

“I won’t. If you do what I want.”

I swallowed hard. Xavier went straight to the point.

“I’ll do it,” I replied without thinking. “But after that, delete the video and pretend what you saw never happened!” I demanded firmly.

“Not that fast, Olivia. You know how this game works, don’t you?” Xavier said, shaking me to the core.

Dark thoughts swirled through my head. I could already guess where this situation was heading.

“I understand, but—”

“In our game… there are no limits,” he cut in, his voice low and quiet.

A chill ran down my spine.

The warning was terrifying.

But strangely… tempting.

I could feel the walls of my resistance slowly cracking. When I looked into his dark blue eyes, I felt myself getting lost.

Lost in the desire.

And in my own fear.

“Promise me the video won’t reach Dent.”

Xavier nodded.

A thin smile curved on his lips—one that felt incredibly cruel.

He slipped his phone into his pocket, then pulled out the chair in front of me and sat down.

For a moment, I had the feeling that this wasn’t just a coincidence. It felt like Xavier had been aiming for this from the very beginning.

He leaned back in the chair, legs spread slightly, arms crossed over his chest.

“Alright,” he said. “Now do it again like you did earlier. This time… in front of me.”