Oris sat there, fear gripping him as he watched Rachael intently, every movement under his scrutiny.After dinner, he watched as she carried the used plates to the kitchen and washed them, then she came out quietly and headed for the bedroom.He couldn't take it any longer. He was already going crazy, and her silence made it worse.“Rachael, if you don’t want me anymore, just tell me to go away! This silence is killing me. I know I did wrong, I regret hurting you. Please forgive me—can you stop the silent treatment?” Oris begged, anxious and desperate.Rachael remained mute, then walked into the bedroom and lay down on the bed.Oris followed and began packing his clothes into a bag. He had decided to move out, to escape the torment and the fear that Rachael might murder him someday.“What are you doing?” Rachael asked when she saw him loading the luggage.Oris was stunned that she spoke. His racing heart momentarily slowed as he turned to face her, their gazes locked.“You’ve gone sil
Oris dropped to his knees, tears streaking down his cheeks. “I’m sorry, Rachael. I regret everything. Please forgive me,” he pleaded.But Rachael didn’t flinch. She ate in silence, rose without a word, and carried her plate to the kitchen. Oris watched in dread as she washed up, her face unreadable. When she returned, he stepped in front of her and slapped his own cheeks—once, then again.“Your silence is killing me,” he said, voice cracking. “Scream at me, scold me—do anything. Just say something. I’m so sorry, Rachael.”She stared at him, lips pressed tight, then moved past him and walked into the bedroom. His heart pounding, he followed. He stood there, helpless, as she undressed, opened the bathroom door, and disappeared into the shower. He lingered, lost for words, then turned and left the apartment.Outside, his phone rang. He answered to Belinda’s angry voice. “Why aren’t you picking my calls? I’ve been calling and you won’t respond. What did I do?”Already frayed, Oris snapped
Rachael watched Oris lift the wine bottle and go to fetch two glasses. Richard had already warned her that Oris planned to add something to her drink.“This wine is very special, it doesn’t onl—”Before he could finish, Rachael yanked the bottle from his hand and sat on the bed strewn with flower petals. She fixed him with a cold stare, then tipped the bottle to her lips and drank straight from it.Oris froze, uncertain whether to be pleased or terrified. Panic flickered across his face as he reached for her wrist. “That’s enough.”Rachael batted his hand away and kept gulping. When she was about to finish the bottle, his eyes widened; he lunged and tore it from her grasp.She looked up at him, hurt etched across her face. She didn’t say a word, but her gaze said everything. Then she fell back on the bed, arms spread, tears sliding from the corners of her eyes.Oris looked away and stepped out of the bedroom. In the living room, he raked his fingers through his hair, cursing under his
When Oris got home, night had already settled. He slipped inside, closed the door softly, and went straight to the bedroom. Rachael lay asleep, clutching a photo of the two of them. Dried tear tracks shone faintly on her cheeks.His chest tightened. Gently, he eased the picture from her hand and set it back on the nightstand where it belonged.“I’m sorry,” he whispered.He shed his clothes, wrapped a towel around his waist, and stepped into the bathroom. Under the rush of the shower, memories rose—those early days with Rachael, when everything had felt effortless and bright. For a moment he let himself stay there, in the warmth of it.After a while he turned off the water, dried off, and left the room. He didn’t climb into bed beside her. Instead, he stretched out on the living room couch and tried to sleep.At dawn he moved quietly through the kitchen, made breakfast, ate quickly, and slipped out. He went straight to Richard’s apartment and knocked.Richard opened the door, surprise
Oris glanced around before saying, “Let’s go in and talk.”Richard nodded, swung the door open, and waited. Oris stepped inside and took a seat; Richard joined him a moment later.“We’re inside,” Richard said, face unreadable. “What’s this deal you mentioned?”Oris hesitated, jaw tight, then spoke. “I know you love Rachael. Don’t deny it. The way you look at her, the way you speak to her—you want her.”Richard didn’t bother denying it. He simply nodded. “She’s a beautiful soul.”Oris leaned back, fists clenched, a furrow etching deeper into his brow. “For three hundred thousand dollars,” he said, “you could have her.”Richard blinked, startled but intrigued. “How do you plan to make that happen?”A smile tugged at Oris’s mouth. “Give me the money first. Then I’ll tell you.”Richard rose without a word. Oris watched, wary, as Richard disappeared into the bedroom. Minutes later, he returned with stacks of cash. Oris’s face lit up; his smile spread wide.Richard set the bundles on the ta
Richard could see she was nervous, fidgeting, every muscle tense.He stepped closer to her."I can give you half the money," Richard began, "but…"He stopped mid-sentence, and Rachael held her breath, stiffening before giving him an uneasy glance."What is it?" she finally asked.Richard stood only inches away, and spoke with quiet certainty. "I can feel the desire in your eyes. You want me the way I want you. Just this once, Rachael."Rachael looked away, then met his gaze again. "That isn’t true."Richard lifted his hand and cupped her chin, guiding her face back to him. "Look into my eyes and deny it."Unable to deny what she felt, Rachael stepped back, creating distance. "I can’t," she admitted, voice barely above a whisper. "Although I want you, it doesn’t make it right. Oris is my boyfriend. I can’t cheat on him for this."She moved toward the door, reaching for the doorknob. Just as she was about to open it, Richard’s voice stopped her."What if your boyfriend is cheating on yo