Chapter 103

Maximus

"Aw, shit!" I groaned as I woke up, slowly blinking my eyes open. I glanced around and remembered that I wasn't at home. I looked at my wristwatch and saw that it was already half past six.

I sat up and pulled the blanket off my body, only to be shocked when I realized I wasn't wearing any clothes. My eyes darted around the room, searching for my clothes, and I noticed a rack with some neatly hung clothes on it.

Nobody else was in the room, so I stood up and headed to the bathroom to shower. Judging by the room's look, I must be in a hotel. There was a bar downstairs where I had stayed last night, lost in thoughts about my wife.

"Shit! Sarina!" I shouted, but I could only shake my head as I recalled what happened yesterday. I turned on the shower and began washing myself, but the thoughts of my wife wouldn't leave my mind.

I couldn't understand her anymore. I noticed she's always quiet, and whenever I ask her what's wrong, she smiles and says it's nothing. But I'm not a mind reader to know what's bothering her. Maybe she needs some space to think; hopefully, she'll realize she still needs me.

After showering, I stepped out of the bathroom, dried off with a towel, and slipped into a hotel robe. I took the clothes hanging on the rack-they smelled freshly laundered. I approached the bed and searched for my phone, which I found in one of the bedside table drawers. I left the hotel quickly and headed straight to the office.

"Good morning, Sir," greeted Lavinia, smiling at me.

"Good morning," I smiled back. I was about to enter my office when I remembered something, "I need a charger."

"Okay, Sir," she said, handing me her charger. I smiled and thanked her before heading into my office.

Once inside, I plugged in my phone and sat at my desk, turning on my laptop, which I always leave there since I don't like carrying it around. Besides, Aries or Lavinia usually carry whatever I need when we have somewhere to go. To make things easier for them, I keep it strictly for office use.

I was sure Aries was still at Luxuria since we agreed yesterday that he would arrive early. I had sent him to attend the meeting with the staff because I had plans, but after what happened with Sarina last night, I lost interest.

I'm upset with her, to be honest. I feel like she's been taking our marriage for granted. Yes, she still takes care of me, but she no longer wants to include me in whatever is on her mind. We're married, and we're supposed to face everything together. That's what I promised her, and I intend to keep it. But how can I when she doesn't want me to be a part of it?

I decided to focus on work and talk to her when I got home. Since it's been so long since we last went out, maybe I'll invite her to dinner. Just the two of us.

It's not like we don't have time or can't do it. But she always says she can't leave the kids whenever I suggest it. I understand, but of course, I also want us to have time for each other beyond just lying beside each other at night.

Speaking of nights, I can't even remember the last time we made love. I miss her hugs and kisses, how she'd kiss my lips passionately, and how she used to please me. I miss all of it. This isn't just about lust-it's more than that.

But I don't have the guts to initiate anything because whenever I ask her how her day was, she always says she's fine, even though I can tell she's tired. She's exhausted, so how can I ask for intimacy, knowing it would only tire her out more?

I got so immersed in my work that I lost track of time until Lavinia knocked and entered my office, smiling. She was carrying a folder, which she placed on my desk. I took it and opened it.

"Is this everything?" I asked, smiling at her, to which she nodded.

"These three… What do you think?" I asked her, leaning closer to show her the papers. Our faces were closed just as the office door swung open.

"Sarina!" I exclaimed, standing up. She shifted her gaze between Lavinia and me. My secretary straightened up, smiling politely, while my wife still held the door handle in one hand and a lunchbox in the other. Sarina looked Lavinia up and down before turning to me.

"Sarina?" she said, her tone sharp. And then I realized how I had called her. It was just an instinctive reaction to her sudden entrance.

"I mean, my wife," I corrected myself, walking toward her. I tried to kiss her, but she turned her face away. My heart pounded as I saw the tears in her eyes disappear, replaced by a forced smile.

"I brought lunch," she said quietly, placing the lunchbox on my desk, exposing the open folder I quickly closed and set aside.

"I'll be going now, Sir," Lavinia said.

"Okay," I replied.

"No." My head snapped toward Sarina as she spoke, looking directly at my secretary, who froze mid-step. A bad feeling crept over me as I realized what Sarina was thinking. "Stay here; this lunch is for both of you."

"Ma'am?" Lavinia said in confusion, looking at me. My shock deepened when Sarina suddenly slapped her across the face.

"Sarina!" I yelled, but before I could react, she slapped me too. I was furious, absolutely livid. I glared at her while Lavinia exited the office, still holding her cheek. "Are you done?" I asked through gritted teeth.

"Yes."

"Then get out!" I shouted. I kicked her out of my office because what she did was wrong. It's one thing to hurt me, but for heaven's sake, why did she have to involve Lavinia, who did nothing wrong?

She didn't move; she just stood there staring at me. I wanted to take back my words when I saw her tears start to fall, but she quickly wiped them away. I never imagined I could hurt her like this.

"You're throwing me out of your office?" she asked, her voice trembling. "For that woman, you're always with? The woman you were with last night at the hotel?"

"My wife, it's not- I-I'm-" I couldn't finish my sentence as she turned and walked out. I threw my laptop and the lunch she brought as the door slammed shut behind her.

Fuck! What's happening to us? Do I need to chase after her just because she thinks I'm having an affair with Lavinia? Doesn't she trust me? Where did she even get that idea when Lavinia is Aries' girlfriend and they plan to marry?