Mia leaned in closer, her hand lightly brushing Joshua's arm. Her eyes were soft, pleading, but there was an unmistakable glint of determination beneath the surface. "Joshua, why do you keep doing this to yourself? To us?" she murmured, her voice low and intimate. "You know we could be happy together, don't you?"
Joshua stiffened, his body instinctively recoiling from her touch. "Mia, this isn't the time..." he began, but she interrupted him, moving even closer.
"When will it be the time, Joshua?" she whispered, her lips hovering near his ear. "Claire doesn't understand you. Not the way I do. We could make this work... if you just let go."
Mia's hand slid up his arm, but Joshua caught her wrist gently, stopping her. "Mia, please," he said, his voice strained. "I can't do this. I'm married. I made a vow to Claire, and I need to honor that."
