Chapter 1

"Honey, one more time…"Late into the night, I lay sprawled across the couch, breathless and glaring playfully at my husband, Kylan Beck.Kylan, looking exhausted, held up his hands in surrender. "Darling, if you work me to death in one night, what are you going to do later?"I pouted. "I don't care! I've been away on a business trip for days. You need to make up for it. If you really break, I'll just find a new one!""You wouldn't dare!" Kylan gave me a playful swat.Just as we were flirting, a few knocks came from outside. Before I could react, a tall figure walked in.I froze. Who was this stranger in our home?What made it worse was that he was wearing nothing but a towel. His muscular arms were enough to hint at exactly how fit he was underneath.The man's features were sharp and chiseled. Droplets of water traced the contours of his legs, glistening under the warm yellow light.He stopped short when he saw me. "Sorry, Kylan. I didn't realize your wife was back."Kylan f

Chapter 2

I wasn't sure if I was imagining things, but when Daniel took the clothes, he seemed to deliberately brush his fingers against the back of my hand.I pulled back, my heart racing with a mix of confusion and nerves. Just as I thought he was leaving, he dropped a bombshell."Ashley, I used the pink towel earlier and just realized it's probably yours. Sorry about that."I felt like my whole body was on fire. Daniel actually used my towel to wipe himself? Didn't that mean we've had indirect contact?After he left, the silence of the bathroom felt heavy and stifling.Even when I crawled into bed, I couldn't shake the restlessness. I shot an annoyed glance at the sleeping Kylan.The next day, thanks to some time off after my business trip, I slept in until noon.Kylan and Daniel were already at work, so I lounged on the couch and scrolled through my phone.Suddenly, a text from Katrina popped up, asking if I'd picked up my package yet.I remembered then that she'd sent me something

Chapter 3

A jolt of electricity shot through me. Just as I was teetering on the edge of no return, a sharp bark pierced the air, followed immediately by a howl of pain from Daniel.I fumbled for the light switch. As the room flooded with light, I saw Bumble, my Alsatian, biting Daniel's ankle.Bumble was usually wary of strangers. Ever since Daniel moved in, it had been watching him with cautious eyes.Now, seeing him barging into my bedroom in the middle of the night, Bumble immediately treated Daniel like a threat.Daniel thrashed in agony, but Bumble didn't budge. It let out a low, menacing growl."Bumble, let go!" I commanded.It finally let go and wagged its tail at me."Ow…" Daniel hissed as he sat up.I nervously checked his injury. The bitten area was already marked with a ring of blood, and he looked just as shaken. His lips were drained of color.I gave Bumble a stern swat on the head, but it just looked up at me with innocent eyes while wagging its tail.A dog bite was nothi

Chapter 4

I was livid, but there was no time to lash out. Kylan was already walking through the door."Honey, you're finally back!" I forced a bright smile and threw myself into his arms.I pouted playfully. "You have no idea how much I missed you. You were gone for so long. How are you going to make it up to me?"Smiling, Kylan pulled me close and gave my ear a little nip. He leaned in and whispered, "Just don't go begging for mercy later."His usual reaction made the tension in my chest evaporate. He didn't suspect a thing.I stole a quick glance at Daniel. His eyes were simmering with resentment. He was clearly jealous.But as much as I'd enjoyed our time together, I knew where the line was. Now that Kylan was back, we had to return to our real lives.Kylan released me and walked over to Daniel. Patting him on the shoulder, he said, "Daniel, thanks for keeping Ashley company while I was away. You've been here a while now, and I think it's time you headed home. Marital spats are normal.

Chapter 5

But lately, Kylan had been coming home later and later and looked utterly dejected."Honey, what's going on with you?"I watched him stumble in, smelling of alcohol. Had he found out about my affair?But that didn't make sense. If he knew, he would have served me divorce papers already."It's nothing, darling. Just some trouble at work," Kylan said with a strained smile.Seeing his pale, exhausted face made my heart ache.In our marriage, I was the dominant one in terms of both income and status. People often joked that he was living off my dime behind our backs.I never cared about the money, but Kylan could never let it go. He spent years desperately trying to prove himself to the world."Darling, do you resent me?" Kylan asked, his eyes searching mine.I didn't understand the weight behind that question at the time.I simply wrapped my arms around him and tried to soothe his pain. "Dumbo, I'm too worried about you to resent you."They said a man's vulnerability would trig

Chapter 6

I bit my lip, hot tears streaming down my face.Daniel let out a cold, mocking laugh. What he said next made my blood run cold."Still thinking about your pathetic husband? He's the one who sold you to me. That project was supposed to be mine. I gave it to him on one condition—you. But he's ungrateful."The moment the project wrapped up, he kicked me out. I put the squeeze on him a little, and he came crawling back to hand you over again. That key to your bedroom? He put it in my hand himself."Daniel sneered triumphantly. "I'm taking you, and Kylan isn't going to say a word."My head felt like it was exploding. My blood turned to ice.No wonder Kylan brought Daniel over to be alone with me. No wonder Daniel could get into our bedroom so easily every time.Tears blurred my vision, and the pounding in my skull made Daniel's voice fade into a dull hum.As I looked at his smug, twisted face, I lunged and dragged my nails across his cheek with every ounce of strength I had left. "Y