Chapter 2: Relief

While waiting for Marcus to come home after preparing dinner, I worked late into the night, sketching new designs for Martha, hoping she might like one enough to include in the new line for this season. My eyes burned with exhaustion, but I forced myself to stay focused.

Someday soon, my designs would walk the runway at the seasonal fashion show,I promised myself that. The thought made me smile faintly, even as dizziness tugged at me and my eyelids grew heavy. Waiting for Marcus was the only thing keeping me awake. Even though my body begged for rest, I didn’t mind. It was nice having someone to come home to,someone worth waiting for.

Few minute later Marcus came home long past dinner. I let him shower and settle into bed before joining him,

“Marcus,” I whispered. He responded with a sleepy hum, his back turned to me.

“Don’t worry, go to sleep,” I said staring at the ceiling, lost in thought, I wanted to believe Jessie had been mistaken, yet her words kept circling in my mind, refusing to leave me in peace, I hated myself for even thinking that way. I drifted so far into my worries that I barely noticed Marcus roll over until he pressed a warm, lingering kiss on my lips and pulled away.

I wanted more. More closeness, more reassurance, something that would quiet the storm inside me , but within seconds, he drifted away again, his soft snores filling the quiet room.

Right now I became frustrate, my body craving a release I knew I wouldn’t get from him tonight. Without thinking my hands drifted down slowly to my panties, brushing lightly against my skin, already wet already wanting. Then I pushed in my middle fingers, my fingers move gently, quietly, giving me every bit of pleasure I needed, My breath fastened, tension melting from my body as I gasped for air with my mouth wide open for a release.

This wasn’t my first time. My body had grown used to my touch. Marcus was a perfect husband, but not in bed because he never last long enough. And these days he was often too tired, it worried me, though I tried not to dwell on it, I simply managed… the only way I knew how, but it was something that bothers me.

When it was morning, we both dressed up for work, Marcus finished first, his tie neat and his cologne lingering in the air. My heart pounded with the question I’d been too afraid to ask. He’d never given me a reason to doubt him,but the whisper of suspicion wouldn’t let me rest.

I took a deep breath and picked up his wristwatch from the bedside table. Walking closer, I gently adjusted his shirt collar before slipping the watch into his hand.

“Marcus,” I said softly, my voice barely steady, “last night… were you with a woman at the Diamond Hotel?”

The silence that followed stretched long enough to make my pulse race. I was terrified.

“No!” he finally said. “Why will you ask such question? I was at work” His eyes held disappointment looking at me.

I hadn’t realized I was holding my breath until I let it out slowly. That meant Jessie will always be Jessie. How could I ever doubt him?

Marcus turned back to the mirror, fastening his cufflinks with practiced ease.

“You shouldn’t go around listening to gossip,” he said calmly, smoothing down his shirt.

Relief washed over me. In that moment, all my doubts faded. I walked to my bag, pulled out an envelope filled with cash, and handed it to him.

“Here. Take this,” I said gently. “I know you’ve been working hard to cover the Mortgage for this house. This should help let save your father’s house together.”

He looked at the money, then at me. “Thank you, but keep it. You’ve already done more than enough for me. ”

Before I could respond, he stepped closer, brushed a quick kiss against my lips,light, distant and murmured a soft, “Goodbye,” before grabbing his jacket and walking out the door.

I stood there for a long moment, staring at the closed door.

With a heavy sigh, I grabbed my bag and hurried out the door, ready to face another long day at work