The room was quieter than usual. The curtains were half closed, letting in a thin stream of sunlight. David stood with his back to the large mirror, trying to look busy on his cell phone. But his eyes couldn't avoid the reflection in the glass for long-Selena was standing in front of him, slowly unbuttoning her blouse one by one."If you're uncomfortable, don't look," Selena said flatly, without looking at him.David swallowed hard. Not because he was uncomfortable, quite the opposite. It was the first time in their year of marriage that he had actually seen Selena so exposed - wearing only lace panties and a beige satin bra. David's face flushed, and he hurriedly looked away, pretending to be busy with his cell phone. "Selena..." he murmured softly, not knowing what to say.Selena smiled faintly, then grabbed some clothes from the closet. As she turned around, without realizing it, a small dark blue book fell from her pile of clothes-a diary.David turned his head at the sound of th
That afternoon, the aroma of grilled salmon and asparagus cream soup filled the dining room. Outside the window, the sky was clear, but the atmosphere inside the dining table was tense. Selena sat next to David, while Lilian sat opposite, and Mrs. Morena was at the end of the table with her usual critical expression.Selena picked up a spoon and began to fill a plate for her mother-in-law. "Mom, Selena made the mashed potatoes using the recipe that Mommy taught her last time," she said kindly with a smile."Hm," Morena replied briefly. "You're a good cook like Mommy."Selena just smiled, and then she began to fill David's plate. David was silent, but his gaze was thoughtful. He realized just how gentle Selena was today - and how much he had overlooked that.Lilian, in a tight red dress that was too flashy for lunch, leaned against the back of the chair and opened the conversation."Oh yeah, when are you moving out of this house, Lilian?" asked Mrs. Morena sarcastically."It seems to h
After lunch, the room was quiet. There was only the sound of glasses clinking softly on the table. Selena sat gracefully beside David, while Lilian helped clear the dishes with a contrived smile.Mrs. Morena stood up, picking up her clutch from the chair."I have to go home. I still have a community event this afternoon," she said, then turned to Selena. "But before I go..."Selena lifted her face, waiting."Selena, you should start considering quitting your job. You're the wife of a CEO, and household responsibilities are more important."Selena kept smiling politely. "I've already signed a contract for a project that runs for the next three months, Mom. But I promise, work won't get in the way of my role as a wife."Morena snorted softly. "All right. But don't let David come home to be greeted by another woman. Especially since Lilian is still here. Huh, Mommy is very worried."Lilian was silent, but her eyes glanced sarcastically at Mrs. Morena. David could only sigh, then put his
The sky was suddenly dark. Clouds rolled thickly over Manhattan. Lightning flashed in the distance, followed by rain that fell in torrents as if hunting the earth. The sound of heavy rain hitting the windowpane of the room, accompanied the quiet atmosphere inside.Selena was still closed, her back to David, her body huddled small under the thick blanket. But her breathing wasn't exactly calm. Her senses were empty-not hot, not cold, just... flat.David stared at his wife's back in silence. The light of the bed lamp illuminated a part of his restless face. He bit his lower lip, then slowly pulled back the blanket and slipped into it. His hands touched Selena's waist, then curled around her body.Slow, but firm. Tight.It was no ordinary hug-there was anxiety, fear, and something Selena couldn't explain. So tight, it made Selena open her eyes slowly."David?" she mumbled sleepily. Her voice was hoarse, lazy. "Why are you holding me like this?"David didn't answer immediately. Only his b
The wind was blowing gently, but it couldn't cool David's hot head. He stood on the second floor balcony, staring blankly at the rain-soaked city. One hand clutches a wine glass, the other rests on the cold metal railing.Streetlights danced in the puddles, but the sight meant nothing to David. His face was tense. Every now and then, he took a deep sip of wine, hoping the alcohol would drown out the feelings raging inside his chest."What the hell am I doing?" he muttered under his breath. "Damn it... I'm hurting Selena. Over and over again."Images of Selena's face danced in her mind. That cold look in her eyes. The honest words that came out without drama: "I'm on my period."But that wasn't what hit his chest. That's not what made the wine taste like vinegar.What broke her was-Selena didn't look hurt. Didn't even try to explain. Didn't defend herself. She just kept quiet. And that hurt more than a thousand curses.David swore under his breath, then took another sip of wine from th
David opened the bedroom door slowly. The rain was still falling heavily outside, creating a slow rhythm that could be clearly heard through the window. His eyes were puffy, his breathing was heavy, his body felt empty... but regretful at the same time.Inside, Selena was sitting in front of the dressing table. Her hair was neatly combed, her face fresh even without excessive makeup. She wore a white blouse with a long navy blue skirt, simple but elegant.David was standing in the doorway.Selena turned her head briefly, noticing his presence, then looked back at her reflection in the mirror."What's wrong with you?" asked Selena lightly, her hands still busy fixing her loose hair.David didn't answer. He just walked slowly, then immediately hugged Selena's body from behind. Strong. Tight. Her breath caught, like a child who had just found a safe place after being lost for too long.Selena was silent. Her hands hung at her sides.David lowered his head, resting his face on her shoulde
David was stunned at the door, his breathing ragged, his eyes kept staring at Selena's retreating back."Selena! Wait-!"He stepped quickly to catch up, but suddenly his head throbbed violently. The world seemed to spin, his vision blurred. Her body swayed."A-akh..."Her steps came to a halt. She touched her temple, then held onto the wall for dear life. But it didn't last long. His body collapsed instantly, falling on the floor with a loud thud."David!" cried Lilian, as she ran towards him. Meanwhile, Selena drove in the rain that was still falling slowly. Her face was blank, but her hands gripped the steering wheel tightly. Her heart was still tight, but there was one place that made her feel a little breathable. That was Dominic's apartment.As soon as she arrived, Selena rang the bell. Before long, the door opened.Dominic stood in the doorway in his casual clothes-a gray T-shirt and dark jogger pants. His hair was slightly disheveled, his face looked tired but his smile was wa
Selena was fixing her clothes one by one when a warm hand suddenly tugged at her wrist. Her body staggered, falling right into Dominic's arms who was still without a single thread."Dominic..." Selena said softly, half laughing with amusement. "No more teasing, ahh... I have to go."The man didn't answer, just kissed Selena's nape from behind, then up to her neck. His breath was warm, his scent distinctive. Selena chuckled, ducking to avoid the mischievous kiss."Ssh... Ah... I'm serious, I need to go to the hospital."Dominic sighed lazily, his arms still hugging Selena's waist tightly. "Stay here tonight. Keep me company for a little while longer. I still want to have sex, Baby."Selena turned her head, looking at the face of the man who was now draped over her shoulder. "You're so tempting like this. But... I can't, Uncle dear. My mom just woke up."Dominic looked at him deeply, there was sincerity there, although wrapped in a little disappointment. "But you can stay here first, ri
The plane landed smoothly at Charles de Gaulle Airport. The Parisian sky that afternoon was gray, but still held an undeniable romantic charm. From the window of the limousine car that picked them up, Selena could see the silhouette of the Eiffel Tower in the distance, faintly obscured by fog."For the first time I'm here," Selena murmured softly, her eyes staring out.Dominic glanced at her from the side, smiling faintly. "You'll like where we're staying."Selena nodded soberly. She still hadn't fully calmed down after the incident at the apartment and the call from David. But she was also too tired to ask too many questions.The car pulled up in front of the HÃītel Plaza AthÃĐnÃĐe, a legendary hotel on Avenue Montaigne, just a few minutes from the Eiffel Tower. The building is grand, classic, with small balconies decorated with red flowers. Its luxurious feel needs no explanation.Selena widened her eyes. "Are we staying here?"Dominic came out first, then opened the door for Selena. "
As Selena's hand touched the doorknob of the apartment, a strong tug on her wrist stopped her. She turned around, startled, to find Dominic standing very close."Uncle, what else?" she grumbled irritably, trying to remove her hand.Dominic smiled casually, as if not taking Selena's refusal seriously. "Are you sure you want to leave like that?" he whispered, his brown eyes flashing something that made Selena's chest flutter."I have to go to the office," Selena insisted, trying to sound firm even though her tone sounded shaky.Dominic chuckled, his tone dismissive. "Ah, what office? This isn't Paris for work, Selina. It's just for a vacation."Selena stiffened. "What do you mean?"Dominic brought his face closer, almost pressed against hers. "I organized all this. All the meetings, all the excuses just so you could be free. With me."Selena stared at Dominic with a mixture of anger and shock. "So you lied to me?"Dominic shrugged casually. "A little lie makes a beautiful thing... No si
Lilian sat in the living room, her eyes blankly staring at the phone screen in her hand. Her fingers tapped rhythmically on the back of the sofa, a sign that her mind was busy struggling.After a moment's consideration, she took a deep breath, then opened the contacts. He searched for the name he had saved but never used - Dante - Private Investigator.Without hesitation, he pressed the call button.The phone rang twice before being picked up."Yes?""Dante, this is Lilian," she said, trying to sound calm. "I need your help.""What do you want?" Dante's voice sounded wary."I need you to keep an eye on someone. A woman. She's leaving for Paris this afternoon."There was a brief silence on the other side. Then Dante asked, "What's the reason?"Lilian gritted her teeth, holding back anger. "I just want to find that woman's weakness. I want to know where she went, who she met, all the details. Got it?""Her name and picture?" asked Dante practically.Lilian hurriedly sent a picture of Se
Selena fell into David's arms, her body pressed tightly against his warm chest. She let out a long breath, trying to control her heartbeat that had begun to race erratically."Honey... one more time, okay? Hurry up," David whispered, his fingers gently caressing Selena's waist.Selena shook her head softly, her face pressed against David's shoulder. "I can't, David. I have to rush to the office, there's still a lot to take care of before the flight."David sighed heavily. "Just a minute, Selena. I still want to have sex with you."Selena lifted her face, looking into her husband's expectant eyes. A pang of guilt ran through her, but she had to be firm."Later, after I get back from Paris," Selena said, stroking David's cheek gently. "I promise, when I get back, I'll give you whatever you want until you're satisfied."David pouted like a child. "But you just left in the afternoon..."Selena chuckled, then brought her face closer and kissed David's lips briefly. "I have a lot of things
The air in the room was warm, only the gentle whir of the air conditioner could be heard. After taking a shower, David shuffled into bed, his body still fresh and slightly wet, his hair a mess.Selena fell asleep with her back to the empty side of the bed. The blanket only covered half of her body, forming the curves of her back clearly under the thin pajamas.Without a sound, David approached and slowly tucked himself in beside Selena. He lifted a hand, pulling her petite body into his arms. The scent of soap still lingering on David's body filled Selena's sense of smell, making her stir slightly in her sleep.David leaned down, kissing Selena gently on the nape of her neck. The kiss was slow, meaningful, as if awakening a hidden passion. The large hands began to roam, gently squeezing Selena's breasts hidden beneath the thin fabric.Selena moaned softly, half-awake. Her eyes opened slowly, seeing David's shadow behind her."Baby..." David whispered in Selena's ear, his voice husky.
It was almost eleven o'clock in the evening when the key turned in the apartment door. David entered with tired steps, his tie loosened, his face looking rumpled after a long meeting.The living room light was only dimly lit. It was quiet. He thought Selena was asleep, and she was.However, someone else was still awake. Lilian.The girl emerged from the kitchen, wearing thin silk pajamas, her hair in a loose bun. Without saying much, Lilian walked straight up to David and hugged him from the side, her face pressed against his chest."David..." she whispered, spoiled. "You're finally home."David was a little surprised, but tried to remain calm. He patted Lilian's back briefly, then tried to keep his distance."What's wrong, Lilian?" he asked softly, his eyes already half heavy.Lilian looked up, a look of tears on her face. "I got kicked out by Selena," she said quickly. "She told me to leave. She was really mean to kick me out."David let out a long breath, releasing the hug slowly.
The apartment door opened slowly. Selena stepped in with cautious steps, her body still feeling tired after a long day at the office. It was quiet. David wasn't home yet. But the sound of the TV on low made Selena immediately know who was in the living room.Sure enough, there was Lilian sitting casually on the sofa, wearing thin pastel-colored pajamas, one leg folded, hand holding the TV remote.Seeing that, Selena took a deep breath, then walked over without saying much. She plopped down next to Lilian, making the woman turn her head slightly."Hi," greeted Lilian casually, as if she didn't feel guilty.Selena crossed her legs, her eyes staring straight at the TV screen, though her mind was far away from the drama playing."Lilian," Selena opened, her voice calm but firm."Hm?" Lilian glanced over briefly."When are you leaving?"Lilian raised an eyebrow, pretending not to understand. "Going? Go where?""Out of here, I mean," Selena replied matter-of-factly. "You said you were only
In the restaurant, the clinking of spoons and the conversations of other diners provided the backdrop for Selena and David's lunch. But Selena barely tasted the flavor of her own food. Her mind was far away, thinking about Dominic's offer.She glanced at David who was busy stirring his drink, as if looking for the right time to open his mouth."David..." Selena said quietly."Hm?" David turned his head, his eyes calmer than before."I want to talk about something. It's about my work."David took a sip of his drink. "What?"Selena sighed. "Next week I've been asked to join a business trip to Paris."David frowned. "Paris? With whom?""My boss, and some of the management team," Selena half-lied. "He said it would be a refreshing trip too. But mostly it's still work."David put down his glass and leaned back in the chair. "How long?""A week."David looked at Selena skeptically. "A week? That long?"Selena bit her lip. "I know it's impromptu, and you definitely won't let me go. But this
At fifteen minutes past eleven, David was standing beside his black car in the underground parking lot of the DRAKE GROUP building. His navy blue tie had been partially removed, leaving the collar of his shirt slightly open. He looked agitated, occasionally glancing at the employee entrance.His mind was still stuck on one moment last week-when he accidentally saw a man who looked a lot like his father enter the building. Silvery gray hair, tall sturdy build, and... the same look in his eyes. But David couldn't be sure. It could be an illusion. Or maybe...The automatic parking lot doors opened, and Selena emerged from the elevator with hurried steps. Her hair was tied low, her lips looked pale. Before exiting, Selena and Dominic kissed on the lips. Selena forgot she hadn't put on lipstick. "Sorry I'm late," she said as she got into the car.David smiled briefly, starting the engine. "Relax. I just got here too."The car drove slowly out of the basement. There was no music, just the