Chapter 6 — The Cracks Begin to Show

The sound of running water from the bathroom was still flowing when Elara stood in front of the large mirror in their bedroom. A thin layer of steam filled the room, making her reflection appear slightly blurred. Yet she could still clearly see the woman standing there—a woman who was slowly turning into someone she herself could barely recognize.

The thin black pajamas she wore fell softly along the curves of her body. The fabric was light, slightly sheer, enough to reveal a silhouette she had always kept hidden. Her long hair was left loose, falling over her shoulders, which she deliberately adjusted several times. Her fingers moved slowly, making sure every detail looked perfect.

She picked up a bottle of perfume from the dressing table, spraying a little on her wrist, then on her neck. A soft and warm scent immediately spread through the air, slowly seeping into her breath.

Elara looked at herself once more.

“I have to go this far…” she murmured softly, her lips curving faintly, bitterly. “Lowering myself in front of that bastard… just to get back at him.”

Her hand clenched for a moment, then slowly loosened. There was no more hesitation in her eyes.

The sound of water stopped. A few seconds later, the bathroom door opened.

Mike stepped out calmly, a small towel draped around his neck. His hair was still wet, a few strands falling onto his forehead, droplets of water trailing slowly down his temples and along his sharp jawline. The thin undershirt he wore clung to his still-damp body, revealing the defined lines of muscle across his chest and abdomen.

He walked in without realizing he was not alone.

Elara watched him from behind, silent, observing every movement of the man.

Broad chest, wide shoulders, a firm back—everything was clearly visible under the warm light of the room.

Something pulsed inside her chest. But this time, it was not love.

Slowly, without a sound, Elara stepped closer.

The distance between them grew thinner, until she stood right behind Mike.

Without warning, both of her hands reached out and immediately wrapped around the man’s waist.

Mike froze instantly. His body tensed at once.

“Elara?” his voice was low, filled with surprise.

Elara pressed her body closer, her cheek almost touching Mike’s still-warm back after his shower.

“Turns out your body… is very good, Mike,” she whispered softly near the man’s ear.

Her hands moved slowly, sliding from his abdomen up to his chest, touching the firm surface that felt warm beneath her palms.

The touch was gentle, but enough to change Mike’s breathing. The muscles in his body tensed. Mike did not move at all, as if his body reacted faster than his mind.

But the next second, awareness returned.

Quickly, Mike grabbed Elara’s wrist and pushed it away roughly.

“Enough!” he snapped sharply.

The force made Elara lose her balance. She staggered back, then fell to the floor with a soft sound.

Mike stood upright, his breathing slightly heavy, his gaze filled with emotions that were hard to read.

“Shameless,” he said coldly.

Elara did not get up immediately. She just sat on the floor for a few seconds, her hair falling to cover part of her face. Then slowly, she let out a soft laugh.

Her hand pressed against the floor, then she stood up slowly. Her movements were calm, as if the fall meant nothing.

She lifted her face, looking straight at Mike. A faint smile formed on her lips.

“It seems…” she said softly, her tone light but sharp, “my husband is indeed not normal.”

She paused for a moment. Her gaze traced Mike’s face deliberately, filled with implied mockery. “Not capable, that’s why…”

The sentence was left unfinished. But the meaning was already clear. And that was more than enough.

In an instant, Mike’s expression changed. His eyes hardened, his jaw tightened, the emotions he had been holding back seemed to ignite at once.

He stepped forward quickly.

Before Elara could react, his hand had already grabbed her neck.

Elara’s body was pushed back until her back almost touched the wall.

The grip was strong.

Making her breath slightly restrained.

“What did you say?” Mike’s voice was low, trembling with restrained anger.

His eyes stared at Elara sharply, full of pressure.

Elara was silent for a moment. But instead of fear, the corner of her lips lifted slightly.

Her hand slowly rose, touching Mike’s wrist that was still gripping her neck.

“What…” she whispered softly, her voice hoarse but still calm. “Did I say something wrong?”

Their gazes met.

They were so close that their breaths mingled.

Mike could clearly see the expression in Elara’s eyes—not fear, not pleading, but… challenging.

And that made something inside him surge even more.

His grip tightened slightly.

“Never play games with me, Elara,” he hissed softly.

Elara took a short breath, her chest rising and falling slowly. Yet she did not push Mike’s hand away. Instead, she continued to look at him without blinking.

“Aren’t you the one who started it?” she replied softly. Her voice was low, but every word was clear. “You’re the one who treated me like I was nothing.”

She tilted her head slightly, her hair falling to one side of her face.

“Now I’m just trying… to become what you want.”

The sentence hung in the air. But that silence felt the most suffocating.

For a few seconds, Mike did not move. His hand was still on Elara’s neck, but his grip was no longer as tight as before.

His gaze shifted slightly. There was something trembling in it. But that emotion came and went too quickly.

Mike pulled his hand away roughly.

Elara coughed softly, her breathing slowly returning to normal.

Mike stepped back, his eyes still fixed sharply on Elara.

“Don’t ever do something like that again,” he said coldly.

Elara smiled faintly. “What if I don’t want to?” she asked softly.

Mike did not answer immediately. He just looked at her more deeply, as if trying to read something he could not understand.

But Elara gave no answer.

She just stood there, calm, with a small smile that was hard to read.

Mike felt that he did not truly know the woman standing before him.

“What's wrong with this woman? Why is she lowering herself in front of me like this?” Mike wondered to himself.