Chapter 25 How Long Has It Been Since We Slept Together?
Alexander stood outside the master bedroom.
Elsa's words at the hospital kept replaying in his head.
They're married.
Restlessness built in his chest until he finally turned away and went to the study to smoke.
One cigarette became another.
Late that night, he found the spare key and entered the bedroom.
He switched on the bedside lamp and sat beside Elsa without waking her. Then, carefully, he fastened a diamond-and-gemstone bracelet around her wrist.
Alexander brushed loose strands of hair away from her forehead and watched her sleeping face for a long time before getting up to shower.
The next morning, Elsa woke in Alexander's arms.
She immediately pulled away and checked the time on her phone.
It was already past eight.
And it was Thursday.
Alexander should have been at the office by now.
He must have returned late last night after taking care of Serena.
Elsa was about to put down her phone when she noticed the bracelet on her left wrist.
She recognized it.
It had been one of the featured pieces at a charity auction the previous week.
Elsa froze for a moment, then reached for the clasp.
Alexander's arms closed around her from behind before she could remove it.
She struggled, but he tightened his hold.
Her back pressed against his chest, separated only by the thin fabric of their sleepwear. She could feel his warmth.
Alexander caught both her hands and looked at the bracelet around her wrist.
His low voice was rough with sleep. "The night you threatened to hurt yourself, I went to the auction for this. It's one of a kind. The only one in the world."
Elsa turned her head toward him.
So that night, he hadn't left to see Serena and her son.
He had gone to buy a bracelet for her.
Their eyes met at close range.
Alexander lowered his head and kissed the corner of her mouth.
The touch snapped Elsa back to reality.
She shoved him away.
Even if he had bought the bracelet for her, it changed nothing.
Serena had returned.
Alexander had chosen her again.
And Serena had brought back a son Elsa believed was his.
Elsa went into the bathroom to wash up. Alexander followed.
At the double vanity, Elsa's toothbrush was white and Alexander's was green.
Elsa used a disposable cup. Alexander had brought in the mug he normally used for coffee in the study.
There were no matching towels anymore, only disposable face cloths.
Alexander looked down.
The slippers on his feet were the gray spare pair kept for guests. Elsa wore yellow cartoon slippers she had bought for herself.
He looked at their reflection in the mirror.
Ever since Elsa smashed everything in the bathroom, their marriage looked exactly like these mismatched toothbrushes, the coffee mug beside a disposable cup, and the cartoon slippers beside a guest pair.
Temporary.
Barely held together.
Alexander brushed his teeth and washed his face, then pulled out a face cloth for Elsa. "I'm not going to the office today. I'll go with you to buy some things for the house."
Elsa took another cloth herself and turned away. "I don't need anything. Buy whatever you need."
She had only taken two steps when Alexander caught her around the waist.
He lifted her onto the counter and stepped between her knees so she couldn't easily get down.
Looking directly into her eyes, he said, "Elsa, look at us. Do we look anything like husband and wife?"
She didn't avoid his gaze. "Isn't this what you wanted? A perfect wife at home and another woman outside."
At that moment, Alexander's phone vibrated on the counter.
He glanced at the screen, turned it face down, and said nothing.
Elsa gave a cold laugh. "Relax. I will never look through your phone again for the rest of my life."
Alexander studied the numbness on her face and pulled her gently into his arms.
"Elsa, can we stop being like this?"
She closed her eyes to hide the pain in them. "You're right, Alexander. We were never supposed to become like this."
If she hadn't loved him so much back then—if she hadn't stubbornly insisted on marrying him—perhaps none of this would hurt so badly.
Alexander loosened his hold and touched her cheek.
Elsa opened her eyes.
"If I were really cheating on you," he said, "I would simply make room for the other woman. I haven't explained myself because there is nothing to explain."
Elsa exposed the flaw in his argument. "You just haven't done it yet because you're afraid I'll make enough trouble to ruin your reputation."
Alexander rested his forehead against hers. "If I were capable of cheating, I'd also be capable of controlling the consequences. I never put myself in a position where someone else can corner me. You know that better than anyone."
Elsa lowered her gaze.
He was right about that much.
Alexander always thought several moves ahead.
He pulled back enough to look at her. "If you trust me, I promise our marriage won't go in two different directions."
Elsa was silent for a moment.
Then she said, "Alexander, you haven't earned my trust."
The air between them went still.
Elsa pushed against him. "If there's nothing else to say, let me down."
Alexander caught her chin and kissed her.
Elsa grabbed his collar and shoulders, fighting to get away, but his larger body held her in place as he deepened the kiss.
Their breathing tangled.
Alexander's breath grew heavy and uneven.
When Elsa felt the change in his body, panic flashed through her. She bit his lower lip hard.
The metallic taste of blood spread between them.
Alexander slowly released her.
His chest rose and fell. With his thumb, he wiped away the tear at the corner of her eye.
"Elsa," he asked hoarsely, "how long has it been since we slept together?"
Her gaze fell to the small trace of blood on his lower lip.
"Can't Serena satisfy you?"
The desire in Alexander's eyes hadn't faded, but he forced it down. He pulled the fallen strap of her nightgown back onto her shoulder and lifted her from the counter.
"I'm taking a cold shower."
He turned and entered the bathroom.
Elsa ordered breakfast delivery, changed clothes, and went downstairs.
Throughout their three years of marriage, Alexander had always had a strong sex drive.
If he'd been away on business, or if they had gone without intimacy because of her period, he usually became so demanding afterward that he wouldn't stop until she was crying and begging him to slow down.
Serena and her son had been back for more than a month before Alexander finally returned home.
Since then, he and Elsa had either been fighting or giving each other the silent treatment.
Elsa knew his physical habits better than anyone.
More than two months without touching her.
To Elsa, there was only one explanation.
He was getting what he needed from Serena.
Her delivery arrived, and Elsa sat alone in the dining room to eat.
A short while later, Alexander entered fully dressed. His eyes settled on the single takeout breakfast in front of her.
"Mom called. She wants us at the family residence tonight."
Elsa had never been talented in the kitchen, but over the past three years she had learned to make a few simple dishes.
Whenever she succeeded, she used to bring the food to Alexander immediately, show it off, and coax or bully him into taking at least one bite.
She had never once behaved like this—two people home together, but breakfast ordered for only one.