Chapter 228
When Nathan and I walked into the house, Katniss had already prepared dinner. Katniss saw us coming back, her expression was the same as in the morning. The only change was Nathan. After my conversation with him just now, he looked a bit embarrassed and even blushed when he saw Katniss. Katniss seemed to sense something, and both of them appeared a bit awkward.
"Dinner looks quite sumptuous," I said with a smile, easing the awkward atmosphere. The family sat down at the dinner table to eat. I updated Katniss on my work progress, emphasizing the importance of focusing on my career as a man. Katniss was happy for my success, but there was a hint of hidden sadness because my dedication to my career meant I would be away from home more often in the future, inadvertently neglecting her. Katniss needed to see me to feel at ease, and in my absence, she seemed restless and anxious.
"Honey, health is the most important. We don't expect you to earn too much money at home. As long as it's enough, it's fine. We'll live within our means based on your income. As long as you're here, nothing else matters," Katniss said sincerely. After we finished dinner, we embraced and lay down on the bed.
"I understand, but you can never have too much money. There will be more expenses in the future, but don't worry, I'll be responsible," I said, looking at Katniss's somewhat pale face. We hadn't been intimate for a few days, and Katniss's mental state was not good. She seemed to be experiencing insomnia, sighing audibly in the middle of the night. Her once bright eyes now had a hint of bloodshot, and as we embraced, she began to show signs of desire. Remembering what the doctor had said, I was slightly moved. Katniss had endured two days and nights without intimacy, not mentioning it to me proactively because she knew I was too tired. She had not entertained the idea of seeking pleasure elsewhere, relying on her willpower to suppress her desires, which was commendable.
To ensure I was in top form for the upcoming ball, my first large social event, I refrained from being intimate with Katniss. After intimacy, I always felt a bit drained. As I bid her goodnight, Katniss closed her eyes with a faint sense of disappointment and a forced smile. I closed my eyes, unable to sleep at that moment, wondering if Katniss would secretly go to Nathan's room tonight. However, all I heard was Katniss tossing and turning, accompanied by faint sighs and murmurs. She never left the bedroom. Eventually, I succumbed to drowsiness and fell asleep.
The next morning, Katniss was already up preparing breakfast. Her eyes were red, despite the light makeup, unable to conceal her increasingly haggard appearance. It was clear that she couldn't wait any longer. Katniss needed sexual satisfaction to relieve her cravings. But how? With a question in mind, I headed to the company. Mia was waiting for me early in the morning, and together with her image consultant, we went to a mall under her name. After a morning of trying on clothes and styling, Mia finally settled on my image plan. After lunch, I continued learning about business with Mia.
"Ms. Brown, I'll go home for a bit and then come to the company to find you," I told Mia as it approached three in the afternoon. I needed to check in with my family and see how Katniss was doing, especially since she had been abstaining for three days.
"Alright, come back soon," Mia replied coldly, nodding slightly without looking at me throughout. Initially, I had a slight hope of gaining Mia's favor, but I eventually gave up. It seemed that apart from the ideal version of herself in her mind, she was uninterested in any other man. Despite spending all day together, she maintained a necessary distance with me.
Upon returning home, I found Katniss sitting on the couch lost in thought. She was surprised but delighted to see me back so soon, rushing over to take my shoes. Nathan was not at home at the moment; he must have gone back to the island for inspection and would probably return before dinner.
"Honey, why are you back so early?" Katniss asked as she fetched my shoes. Whenever the office was empty, I would secretly check the home surveillance videos. Katniss hadn't taken the opportunity to sneak into Nathan's room for an affair while I was asleep these past two nights. During the day at home, she would occasionally browse the internet or sometimes go to the bathroom for self-pleasure. However, it seemed that self-pleasure never satisfied her, and she had hardly left the house, staying quietly at home.
"I have plans for tonight, so I came back to get ready," I said, changing my shoes and placing the evening gown Mia had prepared for me on the couch.
"What a beautiful evening gown," Katniss, being a fashion designer, was sensitive to beautiful clothes. She held the gown, admiring and commenting on it. Despite Katniss's slightly diminished mental state and slower reactions, her professional knowledge remained intact.
"Is there a ball tonight?" Katniss naturally understood the purpose of the evening gown and couldn't help but ask.
"Yes, Mia is taking me to meet some high society people," I replied.
"That's great. Mia has taken me to some social gatherings before, but I've never been to a ball," Katniss said happily, with a hint of envy in her eyes. Katniss was a skilled dancer, so she loved balls the most.
"When I take over the company independently in the future, I'll take you to balls. You can teach me to dance and be my dance partner," I explained, noticing Katniss's envy. I didn't want her to feel left out, as her happiness was a top priority at the moment.
"Really? It's a deal," Katniss's eyes lit up at my promise.
"Of course, you'll be the most invited woman at the ball. I'm sure of it," I said confidently. Katniss would look stunning in the gown, coupled with her professional-level dancing skills, many men would want to dance with her. Balls were the best way to network and meet various people, and women generally didn't refuse dance invitations from other men unless for special reasons.
"Of course, but I won't dance with other men. I'll only accompany my husband," Katniss pouted, but once she understood the significance of balls, she might not think the same way. As a wife, accompanying other men for a dance was also a way to network for her husband. But that was a matter for the future.
"How long will the ball last? What time will you be back?" Katniss helped me tidy up the gown, asking.
"What time do you want me to come back?" I teased Katniss, feeling a twinge of bitterness inside. Everything seemed to hinge on tonight.
"Honey, what are you talking about?" Katniss understood the implication of my words, blushing slightly with a hint of reproach.
"Alright, back to the point. I won't be coming back tonight. After the ball, I'll stay at the company," I said, picking up the gown and preparing to leave. Mia still needed to teach me some etiquette for the ball, and as her dance partner tonight, I couldn't embarrass her.
"Why? Why won't you come back? Why won't you stay?" Katniss sensed something and spoke nervously, her face showing signs of panic and confusion. She was now anxious and stuttered, a stark contrast to her usual demeanor. Her previously haggard face now displayed a mix of panic and confusion.
"Wife, you've been through a lot these past few days. I can't satisfy you due to work and health reasons. Your sexual addiction will only worsen if this continues. Tonight, it will be just you and Nathan at home. Trust me, I won't blame you or be upset. This is unavoidable. I don't want to lose you or break up our family again," I tried to sound sincere, wanting to express that I cared more than I let on. But if I said too much, Katniss might lose her courage, so for the sake of our future, I buried all the pain and bitterness deep inside.
"No, honey, I don't want this," Katniss became emotional upon hearing my words, unsure of what to say, appearing desperate. But as soon as she spoke a few words, I covered her mouth with my hand, preventing her from saying more. If her sexual desires were not addressed, there could be unpredictable consequences and dangers, so everything had to proceed as planned.
"Wife, as long as your heart is with me and you love me, I can overlook everything else. As for your actions with Nathan, you decide the boundaries yourself. Alright, I have to go now. I won't be back tonight," I tried to keep my tone sincere, wanting to convey that I cared deeply. But I didn't want to reveal too much, as it might push Katniss over the edge. So, for the sake of our future life, I kept all the pain and heartache buried deep inside.
"Honey, please don't go, please. Please," Katniss kept muttering as I changed my shoes, tugging at my hand. Her face showed clear reluctance, but I didn't say anything else. Just before closing the door, I turned and gave Katniss a faint smile. Perhaps the smile seemed natural, or maybe it revealed a hint of reluctance, letting Katniss see a forced smile.
As the door closed, I carried the evening gown and toiletries downstairs, the sky outside gradually darkening. Tonight was destined to be extraordinary. I shook my head, trying not to overthink, focusing on the ball tonight. With gains come losses, and I needed to focus on my career, even if it meant losing something. I understood that you can't have the best of both worlds. Glancing back at the lit floors of the apartment building, my emotions became complex. Nathan hadn't returned yet, but he should be back soon. If he returned and saw the awkwardness between Katniss and him, they probably wouldn't exchange many words. Katniss might not even tell Nathan that I wouldn't be coming back tonight. Standing outside, I took out my phone and found Nathan's number in the contacts, dialing it.
"I have plans tonight, so I won't be coming home. Please take care of Katniss," I said as Nathan's phone rang, the sound of a boat engine in the background. I said these few words and hung up without waiting for a response.
I wasn't sure if Nathan heard my words, as phone signals could be unreliable. But I didn't care. I considered it fate. If Nathan heard, he heard. If nothing happened tonight, then it was meant to be.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
