FATE - can a person in one lifetime fall in love with the same person twice?

Chapter 24

It’s been one and a half years since I got married. Eden has rarely been home during this time. I have barely seen him five times since our wedding, and that was only at the dining table. Two days after our marriage, he went on a business trip, and since then, he has been constantly traveling. He comes home at night and leaves the next day. He says he is expanding his business and doing God knows what. Well, I’m totally fine with it. He just sends gifts and flowers on our wedding anniversary and my birthday, and that is also fine with me.

Speaking of which, I’m now officially a writer. I published my book one year ago through James. He liked my story very much, and fortunately, it was a big hit. I used a pen name because I didn’t want people to say my book became famous because I’m Mrs. Miller, so no one knows my identity yet as I don’t do any book signing events. After my first two books, I am now working on another one. I earn money now, and I’m happy to say that I even bought a car of my own—yes, it’s a luxury car.

It was past two in the night—or morning, whichever you prefer—and I had just completed another chapter. It was dark everywhere, and I liked it that way. I was heading to the kitchen to grab a drink and some late-night snacks. Despite the darkness, I could see enough from the light reflecting off the kitchen counter, where the drinking glasses were kept.

“Touch me like you touch nobody, put your hands all upon me,” I was singing as I grabbed a glass.

“Want me to touch you?” someone whispered in my left ear before I could make it to the refrigerator.

“What the f…” I jumped in place and dropped the glass in my hand, but it never crashed to the ground.

I turned and was about to shout, but I stopped when I saw who it was. It was none other than my husband.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, my heart in my throat.

“I was here the whole time.” He placed the glass on the counter. “But you were so absorbed in your own world, you didn’t even notice.”

“I mean, what are you doing here?” I asked again. “Weren’t you out of the country?”

“I came back around an hour ago,” he started. “But let me guess, you didn’t even notice. I see... you’re so happy when I’m not around that you don’t even realize who comes and goes in this house.”

I just stood there silently, staring at him as he stared back. It was true. I was so lost in my writing that I didn’t hear him come in. And here, in the kitchen, he had been hiding in the shadows, making it easy for me to miss his presence.

“Seems like you’re unhappy to see me here?” he asked, crossing his arms over his chest. He was wearing a light-colored shirt and sweatpants.

“No... Yes...” I stammered out of habit. “Why would I be unhappy? It’s your house. You can come and go as you please.”

“Ours.”

“What?”

“It’s our house,” he clarified, emphasizing the word "our."

I looked at him, the light coming from the window reflecting off his teal eyes, making them seem to glow. My gaze fell on his mole, the beauty mark that always distracted me.

“Eyes up here, Mrs. Miller.” I felt a rush of embarrassment and quickly looked up from his beauty mark to his eyes, which were fixated on mine.

“Well…” he took a few steps towards me. “You want me to touch you?”

“No, thanks,” I said. “It was just a song.”

“Really?” He took another step closer. “I thought you were tempting my touch since I’ve been barely here for the past year and a half.”

“No, I don’t need any touch.” I looked everywhere but at his eyes. “I lived 24 years without it; I can live without it in the future.”

“Oh…” He moved closer and leaned near my left ear, whispering in a deep voice, “But everyone has desires. I think you have them too.”

"No..." Before I could say anything else, he licked my earlobe and sucked it. My heartbeat, already fast, went out of control. My breathing became heavy, blood rushed to my cheeks, and my ears felt so hot that my whole body went numb. I could feel the heat within me. My knees were weak, and it felt like I might fall right there. I shut my eyes tightly.

"See, I barely touched you, and you're already breathing this heavily," he said.

I opened my eyes and found him smirking at me. He was standing straight now, inches apart, but I could still feel the sensation on my ears. I just stood there silently, with pink cheeks and heavy breath, staring at him. How could he be so bold? I never imagined him like this.

After several minutes, I moved past him, grabbed a bottle from the fridge, and ran out of the kitchen. I dashed upstairs and stopped when I reached my room. I closed the door behind me, leaned against it, and slid to the floor. I covered my face with my hands; I could still feel the heat in my cheeks, my heart still racing, and my ears burning red.

He was right. He barely touched me, and I was already like this. I stood up and collapsed onto my bed, wrapping myself in the quilt. I closed my eyes and buried my face deep in the pillow. “I think I won’t be able to sleep tonight,” I said to myself.

As I lay there, my mind raced with thoughts and emotions I had been avoiding for months. The house was always so quiet, and I had grown used to the solitude. Eden's sudden presence, and his unexpected boldness, had shaken me more than I cared to admit.

I tried to focus on anything else-my writing, my upcoming book, the errands I had to run the next day- but my mind kept drifting back to Eden. I wondered why he had come home tonight and if he planned to stay longer this time. Despite my frustration with his absences, a part of me still longed for his company, for the partnership we had hoped for when we married.

The rest of the night passed in restless tossing and turning. 

---

It was morning, and I was still lying in bed. I had barely slept last night, thanks to my husband. I stayed in bed intentionally, waiting for him to leave so I could have my breakfast in peace. When the first light of dawn began to seep through the curtains, I gave up on sleep entirely. I got out of bed and decided to start my day early. Maybe keeping busy would help me sort through the confusion and frustration clouding my mind.

I got out of bed and made my way to the bathroom. After freshening up, I went downstairs. To my relief, he was not there. I went into the kitchen to ask Jenna for my breakfast.

"Sir said to tell you to go and meet him in his office," Jenna said, placing my breakfast in front of me.

"Oh..." I responded. Jenna nodded and went back into the kitchen. I started eating my breakfast, feeling a mix of annoyance and resignation.

Although I didn't want to go, I knew I had to. It was part of our deal that I had to visit him twice a week. In the past year and a half, I had barely gone there twice, as he was mostly out of the country, expanding his so-called business.

I dressed perfectly and grabbed some snacks on my way, wanting to maintain the appearance of a loving wife. I estimated that I would reach his office in about half an hour.