Our Affairs

The moon shone brighter than usual that evening, casting a soft, silvery glow over our quiet suburban neighborhood. I was thrilled because my husband, Richard, was finally coming home after a grueling two-week business trip. To surprise him, I slipped into a fancy, sexy red nightgown that hugged my curves perfectly, the silky fabric whispering against my skin as I moved. My heart raced with anticipation as I heard his car pull into the driveway.

"He's here," I whispered to myself, a smile spreading across my face. I hurried to the door, my bare feet padding softly on the cool hardwood floor. He opened the door, flicked on the lights, and his eyes widened when he saw me.

"Wow, baby, you look incredible," he said, his voice laced with a hint of surprise.

"Do you like it?" I teased, wrapping my arms around him and running my fingers through his tousled hair.

"Of course I do," he replied, kissing me gently as he dropped his suitcase with a thud on the floor.

Slowly, I began unbuttoning his shirt, my hands exploring the familiar contours of his chest. "Let's do it right here, in the living room," I whispered seductively in his ear, wrapping his hand around my waist. He kissed me deeply for a moment, his lips warm and inviting.

Babe please." His hands caught my wrists-gently, but firmly pulling back slightly. "I just got back, and I'm exhausted. Can we do this later?" He pleaded, his eyes heavy with fatigue.

The word landed like a slap.

I searched his face for the man who used to lift me onto the kitchen counter without warning, who used to growl my name like a prayer. He wasn't there.

Before I could respond, he picked up his suitcase and headed straight to the bathroom, leaving me standing there alone in the dimly lit room.

This had been my reality for the past three years-no matter how hard I tried, Richard always found an excuse to turn me away. Tears welled up in my eyes as I sank onto the couch. Ever since the tragic loss of our three-month-old baby, things had changed between us. Even though he insisted it wasn't my fault, I knew deep down he blamed me. I pulled my knees to my chest, burying my face in them as hot tears streamed down my cheeks, the silence of the house amplifying my loneliness.

The next day, I was at the office where I worked as an executive assistant, meticulously arranging some documents on my cluttered desk, when one of my colleagues burst into my office.

"Hey, Payton, he's here!" Brooke exclaimed, nearly tripping over her own feet as she rushed to my desk, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Who?" I asked, curiosity piqued despite my lingering melancholy from the night before.

"Our new CEO, of course-Teddy Murphy. Don't tell me you forgot!"

"Hmm, not really," I replied absently. That was the least of my concerns right now.

"He's so