Lost in madness

Chapter 22

Sally

I stirred awake, my hand instinctively reaching for Andrew's warmth beside me. The empty space greeted my fingers instead, cool and unwelcoming. My eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains.

The faint sound of running water reached my ears, and I exhaled slowly, relief washing over me.

"Andy?" I called out, my voice still husky from slumber. No answer.

He came home late again last night. I'd tried to wait up, but exhaustion had claimed me somewhere between midnight and his return. Now, as I lay there listening to the shower drops, I couldn't help but wonder when this had become our new normal.

Throwing off the covers, I swung my legs over the side of the bed. The digital clock on the nightstand read 6:45 AM. Another late night for him, another restless night for me. I sighed, padding across the plush carpet and shedding my silky robe.

The bathroom door opened with a gentle creak, steam billowing out to embrace me. I stepped into the shower, the warm water cascading over my skin.

I wrapped my arms around Andrew's waist from behind. "Good morning, stranger," I murmured, pressing a kiss between his shoulder blades.

He tensed slightly, then relaxed. "Morning," he replied, his voice flat.

I tried to be playful, running my hands over his chest. "We never used to start our mornings like this, all naked and soapy," I whispered, nuzzling his neck, "You smell like flowers."

He turned to face me, his expression skeptical. "Sally, what are you doing?"

"Joining my husband in the shower. Is that a crime?" I tried to keep my tone light, even as disappointment settled in my stomach.

He sighed, reaching for the shampoo. "I'm running late, Sal."

"You're always running late these days," I said, unable to keep the edge from my voice. "Let me guess, another long night at the office?"

"The new company isn't going to run itself."

I watched him lather his hair, noting the dark circles under his eyes, and the tightness in his jaw. "I know, It's just... I miss you, Andy. We hardly see each other anymore."

"It'll calm down soon," he said, rinsing off quickly.

I bit my lip, considering my next words carefully. "I was thinking about your trip to France."

He froze for a split second before resuming his routine. "What about it?"

"Well," I began, my heart racing, "I thought maybe I could come with. We could make a long weekend of it, just the two of us. God knows we could use some time together, especially now that our fathers are at our necks about the baby thing—"

"Sally, I don't think that's a good idea," Andrew cut me off.

"Why not?"

"It's not the best time right now, plus don't you have your brand lunch next week?"

I felt a flicker of irritation. "It got canceled, Andy. I sent you about a million texts about it. Don't you read any of my messages? Anyways, I'm free."

The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the steady stream of water. His face remained impassive as he stepped out of the shower, reaching for a towel.

"Andy?" I prompted, following him out. "Did you hear what I said?"

He nodded absently, wrapping the towel around his waist. "I heard you."