Between Us

Chapter 56

Max

I lean back on our new sofa, feeling at home in my own house for the first time in years. It took us a few months, but we've made this our home, down to every last detail. Spending my weekends shopping for decoration has been far more fun that I ever thought it could be. Being with someone who actually values my opinion and doesn't always want to get her way has been insanely refreshing.

I sigh as I stare at the clock in the living room. The only thing that's missing tonight is Alianna. She's been working late every night this week. If she isn't shooting some campaign, she's working on her fashion designs or accompanying Abuela and Mackenzie to their countless charity functions.

She's the hardest working woman I've ever met, and fuck, I'm proud of her... but I miss her too.

I grab my phone and scroll through her Instagram pictures, just to catch another glimpse of her, and it only takes me three seconds to get pissed off at all the comments men are leaving under her photos.

Fucking assholes. Don't they know she's married?

I grit my teeth and navigate to my own account. I don't manage it myself, and my team mostly posts about movie productions we're funding, with the odd Lim family event thrown in to give me a more human touch. I've never had any interest in it. Even though I work in the media industry, I've always found social media toxic. Lately, though... I've definitely taken more of an interest in my social media accounts since I married Alianna, and the press has had a field day with me because of it. Each time I post a photo of us, it ends up going viral.

I smirk and pull up my favorite photo of my wife. It's one of the first ones I took of her, the one where she's sleeping, her shoulders exposed. It's an obvious post-sex photo, but I don't give a fuck. It's my intention to lay my claim, after all. I smirk as I upload the photo and caption it with two words.

My wife 😍

I'm still chuckling when I hear the front door open. Alianna smiles the moment she sees me, and I meet her halfway, kissing her far rougher than I probably should have. I love how she always instantly wraps her arms around me, no matter where we are or who's watching. The way she responds to me is never dictated by the people that surround us.

"Hey... why are you smiling like that?"

"Check your Instagram. I tagged you in a post," Her eyes roam over my face, and she tilts her head suspiciously.

Alianna frowns as she reaches into her bag, and for a moment, I wonder if perhaps I overstepped by posting what I did. But then she smiles and blushes a deep crimson.

"Max," she says, her voice husky. Fuck. She's so fucking sexy. Even the way she says my name is fucking perfection, "You're crazy, aren't you?"

I shrug, "Maybe a little."

Her smile fades, the way it does whenever she thinks of Crystal. Alianna has been carrying a lot more guilt than I have, and her last argument with Crystal broke her heart. It was easier for me to draw a line with Crystal than it'll ever be for Alianna.

"You've been working far too hard lately, and you know it's serious when it's coming from me," She nods and rubs her shoulder.

"I know," she murmurs.

I cup her cheek gently and sigh. She's overworking herself in an effort to forget about the pain Crystal has caused. It's what I always used to do, so I get it, but it isn't healthy.

"I've got something for you," I tell her, "Come to the kitchen with me."

She nods, "I have to wash off all this stage makeup on my body," she tells me, "Give me a minute, and I'll meet you in the kitchen, okay?"