James sat on the edge of the bed, his mind a tempest of conflicting emotions. The room had a subdued glow, the curtains drawn to keep out the world.
Vivian lay beside him, her skin warm against his. They had shared countless nights like this, tangled in each other's arms, finding comfort in the physical connection.
But tonight was different. Tonight, guilt gnawed at James's insides like a relentless predator.
Perhaps James grappled with a twofold guilt: the weight of falling for his enemy's daughter and the burden of deceiving his own emotions for Sophie .
James entered Sophie's life just a few weeks ago, a planned encounter at the local library.
And so, he carefully orchestrated their meeting, making sure to strike up a conversation about their shared interests in art, philosophy, and life.
