All Chapters of ANOTHER DAY ROTTING IN VAIN: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

 Van’s fingers moved with a skill that sent tremors through Demani’s body. He knew her; her softness, her rhythm, the subtle gasps that escaped when pleasure overtook her. His touch was deliberate and slow at first, a coaxing invitation, until her body responded to him like it always had: openly, instinctively, desperately.She gripped his wrist, trying to steady herself, as the waves of sensation began to build. Her hips moved involuntarily, following the pace he set, and her head tilted back with a soft moan. Behind her, his other hand caressed her body, worshipping it like something he thought he’d lost. Rough and gentle, teasing and claiming all at once.Her breath caught when she saw them in the mirror. His tall, bare form pressed behind her, his lips grazing her shoulder, his eyes locked onto hers. There was heat in his gaze, but something more, too. Something deeper. He wasn&rs

 Later at the Baby Shower Party…“Sam and Van didn’t come to the weekly get-together again, huh? Coreen showed up late, too. Our tradition is being forgotten and underappreciated.”Aunt Ynes spoke quietly as she and Demani decorated the living room for Maureen’s baby shower. With Grandma Val too unwell to help and other female relatives occupied, Demani had stepped in to assist.She had messaged Van earlier but didn’t hear back, which wasn’t surprising, she expected he’d be late, as he told her he had important meetings and might come home late. Maybe he was in a conference room, phone out of reach.“So, why didn’t Van come again this Sunday?” her aunt asked, glancing at the house help assisting them.

When Demani opened her eyes that morning, the first thing that came to her mind was the argument she and Van had the night before. The heaviness in her chest hadn’t gone away. She didn’t want to leave the room, much less face her husband. She knew he’d be coming in soon to get ready for work, and she wasn’t sure if she was ready to talk to him.The anger still lingered inside her, but so did a deep sense of unease. For the first time in their marriage, they had fought that badly. And now she was lost, unsure how to navigate the aftermath, unsure how to make things right. She didn’t even know who should make the first move toward reconciliation.It should be him, whispered a voice in her he

 She took a bitter bite of the last pizza slice she held in her hand. Her throat was tight, aching from the tension, but she chewed and swallowed anyway. The anger was so sharp, so overwhelming, it made her feel like crying. But she refused.No. She would not cry.Even if the weight in her chest felt unbearable, she grabbed another slice and shoved it into her mouth. She chewed in rage, like eating would somehow quiet the storm inside her. Maybe if she swallowed fast enough, she could force down the tightness in her chest and the lump in her throat. But despite her efforts, a tear slipped free.She quickly wiped it with the free napkin from the pizza box. 

 As she expected, Van remained quiet the entire drive home.He had said goodbye to everyone politely when they left, and he even helped her into the car. While they were still on the way out of the city, he asked if she wanted to stop by a restaurant for dinner. But since she was still full from the hearty lunch with the whole family, she declined.Since then, Van had been silently driving. And though he was beside her, she felt the discomfort. She knew his mood had been completely ruined because of what happened at lunch. He was just forcing himself to keep talking, and she could tell. She also knew he would stay quiet and keep his frustration to himself unless she made the effort to talk to him.She figured it would be better for their relationship if they were honest with each other and talked about