Alex returned home from work, his steps slowing as he approached the bedroom door. The familiar surroundings stirred memories of his tense encounter with Diana earlier that morning. He glanced at his watch—just past seven. His gaze then shifted to the neatly wrapped dress he had bought as a peace offering. With a quiet sigh, he shook his head before finally turning the doorknob.
The soft creak of the door broke the silence as he stepped inside. His footsteps echoed lightly against the polished floor, blending with the steady sound of running water from the bathroom.
Minutes later, the door to the bathroom swung open, releasing a wave of warm steam. Diana emerged, a white towel wrapped snugly around her body, stopping just above her thighs. Droplets of water clung to her smooth skin, highlighting the elegant curve of her legs as she moved.
The moment Diana laid eyes on Alex, the text message she had seen earlier that day resurfaced in her mind, souring her mood almost instantly. Without a word, she averted her gaze and walked straight to the wardrobe, rummaging through her clothes for something suitable for the evening.
"I, uh... I got you a gift," Alex said, breaking the silence.
"More like a peace offering," Diana muttered as she slipped into a short satin nightgown that draped elegantly over her figure, exposing her smooth, radiant thighs.
Alex sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Come on, baby. Are you still upset?" He unbuttoned his shirt and shrugged it off, revealing his broad shoulders and sculpted chest.
Diana scoffed, rolling her eyes. "No, of course not. I'm smiling, don't you see?" she said sarcastically, her tone dripping with disdain.
She bent over to apply lotion to her legs, her movements slow and deliberate. Alex's gaze followed her, his breath hitching as an unbidden wave of desire surged through him. At that moment, all rational thought evaporated, replaced by one vivid image—Diana in nothing at all.
Alex rushed into the bathroom, eager to freshen up, but his thoughts refused to stray from one thing—Diana, beneath him, moaning his name in pure pleasure. The mere idea sent a shiver down his spine, making the shower feel colder than it actually was.
Once he stepped out, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist, he found Diana lying on the bed, fully engrossed in her phone. Without hesitation, he slid in beside her, his fingers trailing slowly along her smooth thighs.
"You know," he murmured, leaning closer, "I could satisfy those needs you mentioned earlier... right now."
But Diana remained unmoved. Without a word, she shifted away, turning her back to him. The motion only highlighted her figure beneath the soft fabric of her nightgown, making her all the more irresistible.
Determined, Alex traced his fingers from the curve of her neck down to the dimples on her lower back, his touch light yet intentional. But Diana still wouldn't give in. Instead, she sat upright on the edge of the bed, her posture dismissive.
Alex let out a frustrated sigh, raking a hand through his damp hair. "You were the one who talked about your needs, Diana," he scoffed. "And now I'm literally serving myself up for you on a silver platter—yet this is how you treat me?"
"To what end, Alex?" Diana snapped, her frustration boiling over. "To what end? We've been together for two years, and what do we have to show for it? All the sex, all the effort—and not one baby, Alexander. Not one." She held up a single finger, her voice rising with each word.
Alex sighed, rubbing his temples. "Diana, you know what the doctor said—"
"I know what the doctor said," she cut in sharply. "About your sperm having low motility and all that. You don't have to preach it to me, okay?"
"Baby, we can keep trying," Alex murmured, his voice softer now as he reached for her.
Diana shook her head, pulling away. "Getting pregnant isn't supposed to be a gamble, Alex. This isn't a casino. This isn't Vegas."
With that, she turned on her heel and walked out to the balcony, needing air, needing space.
Alex let out a deep sigh, the tension that had consumed him moments ago now completely deflated. He slid out of bed, pulled on a pair of shorts, and made his way to the bedroom door.
His hand rested on the doorknob, hesitating for a brief moment. Then, turning his head slightly toward her, he spoke in a voice barely above a whisper. "You know… if I could, I'd do anything to make this right."
Without waiting for a response, he exhaled sharply, opened the door, and stepped out.
Alex's relaxed stride toward the living room came to an abrupt halt at the sharp sound of shattering glass from the kitchen. His body tensed instantly, his senses heightening as he moved cautiously, his steps slow and deliberate.
To his knowledge, only two people were in the house—him and Diana. No one else was supposed to be there.
With his pulse quickening, he crept toward the kitchen, his movements silent, like a predator closing in on its prey. Peering inside, he spotted a figure rummaging through the refrigerator, their back turned to him.
Instinct kicked in. His fingers wrapped tightly around the handle of a frying pan, his grip firm as he lifted it slightly, prepared to strike if necessary. His breath slowed, his muscles coiled with tension as he closed the distance between himself and the intruder.