How did Hank find out?

My scalp prickled, and my whole body went stiff. My face burned so hot it felt like my skin might peel off, and my lips trembled as I tried to say something, but no words came out.

The way he looked at me, as if he were enjoying a show, left me embarrassed, angry, and completely flustered all at once.

Before I could even think, I lifted my foot and stomped down on his. While he was distracted, I shoved him hard and bolted out of the bathroom as fast as I could.

I did not stop until I reached my room, where I collapsed onto the bed, gasping for air. Just as I was beginning to calm down, a hand suddenly reached out from behind me.

I nearly screamed.

"Suzanna, what are you doing up in the middle of the night? Have you lost your mind or something?"

I turned and saw Luis, his face still heavy with sleep. For a second, I honestly wanted to punch him.

Gritting my teeth, I told him it was nothing and that he should go back to sleep since he had work tomorrow. Luis only muttered that the construction site had an off day the next day, then rolled over and fell right back asleep.

Only when I heard his snoring again did my pounding heart finally begin to settle.

The next morning, I opened the door and stepped out, then froze on the spot.

Hank was in the living room, doing push-ups. His arms were thicker than my thighs, and the muscles in his back shifted in smooth, powerful lines with every movement.

At once, the scene from the night before flashed through my mind, and heat rushed back to my face.

Hearing the door, Hank turned his head. The moment he saw me, his eyes lit up, and then he grinned. My heart jumped, and without thinking, I slammed the door shut.

Luis lifted his head from the bed and frowned at me. "What's wrong with you? Why aren't you cooking? I'm starving."

His words hit me like cold water, killing my mood instantly as irritation flared inside me.

Good. Let him starve! All he ever did was eat, eat, eat, yet he still could not satisfy his own wife. I kept my thoughts to myself as I fumed.

When I did not move, Luis began urging me again and again. By the fourth time, impatience had already crept into his voice.

Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to calm down and opened the door again.

The living room was empty. Hank was gone.

Relief washed over me, but there was also a strange, quiet disappointment that I could not quite explain.

Letting out a soft sigh, I rolled up my sleeves and headed into the kitchen to throw something simple together.

I placed the ingredients on the counter, only to realize the stove was not powered. The plug had been pulled. I bent down to take the plug, then stood on my tiptoes to reach the high outlet on the wall and plug it in.

However, it was too high. I tried again and again, stretching as far as I could, but I still could not reach it. Finally, I gave up and turned to grab a chair from the living room.

Just then, a shadow fell over me from behind.

Before I could react, a pair of strong arms lifted me.

Click.

The plug slid into the socket.

As my feet touched the ground again, something solid pressed against my lower back.

A strong body.

My mind went blank, a loud buzzing filling my ears. I tried to struggle, but my body would not listen.

"You…"

"Suzanna, you smell so good, and you're so soft. I really like it." That familiar voice sent my heart shooting straight into my throat. Shock, panic, and something else I did not dare name all crashed together inside me.

"Hank, d-don't. Stop it… Luis is still in the bedroom…" Before I could finish, the man behind me suddenly pressed forward. My legs went weak instantly. I nearly collapsed on the spot.

I wanted to tell Hank to stop, to really stop.

However, I did not dare open my mouth because I was afraid that if I did, it would not be words that came out, but something else entirely.

While I was still tangled in my rising panic, Hank's voice drifted into my ear again.

"I heard everything."

My eyelid twitched, and I hurried to ask what he meant and what exactly he had heard. He leaned in closer, letting out a low laugh right beside my ear.

"Luis… He's kind of weak, huh?"

My heart stuttered.

How did he know that?

The embarrassment hit me all at once, sharp and suffocating, making me feel like I could disappear on the spot.

I let out a frustrated huff. "Hey! How could you eavesdrop on a married couple like that?"

Hank only chuckled, that same teasing edge lingering in his voice.

"Suzanna, weren't you the one peeking through my door while I was with my girlfriend?

"We share the same hobby. We're a perfect match."

His words made my face burn even hotter.

"That's nonsense. W-who's a perfect match with you?"

"Of course it's you, Suzanna." As soon as he said it, he leaned in and blew a warm breath against my ear.

A sharp, tingling sensation shot through me like an electric current, and my body shuddered before I could stop it.

"Wow. Suzanna, you're really sensitive. You must be pretty lonely, huh? Do you want me to help you out a little?" As he spoke, his hands moved forward. A sound almost escaped my throat, but I forced it down at the last second. I could hold back my voice, but not the way my body reacted.

I wanted to push him away. I really did. However, my body would not listen.

"Suzanna, I fell for you the first time I saw you. Divorce Luis and be with me.

"I'll treat you far better than he ever could.

"Suzanna, why aren't you saying anything? Don't you believe me?

"If you don't… then I guess I'll have to prove it to you right here."

At first, I thought he was just trying to scare me with words. Then, I heard the sound of a belt being undone.

My scalp went numb. Before I could react, I heard fabric shifting. Panic exploded in my head like a swarm of bees buzzing wildly.

"Hank, don't. P-please stop… Don’t go inside..."

Behind me, Hank let out a heavy breath. His voice turned rough, edged with something dangerous.

"Suzanna, you've been holding it in for a long time, haven't you?

"Let me take good care of you. I’ll make sure you find out what it really feels like to be a woman."

I felt like I was about to lose my mind. My voice trembled as I begged him to stop messing around.

He let out a low, muffled sound before asking in a hoarse voice, "Suzanna, don't you think I'm stronger than Luis?"

I could not deny it. It was true, but I did not dare say it out loud, afraid it would only make him more reckless, more bold.

My silence seemed to irritate Hank, and he pressed forward again. I panicked and tried to stop him, but just then, heavy, uneven footsteps echoed from the living room, followed by Luis's voice outside the door.

"Suzanna, is the food ready yet? I'm starving!"

My heart lurched. Luis was out there, and my mind felt like it was about to explode. However, the man behind me acted as if he had not heard a thing. He still pressed himself close against me, not stopping at all.

This was bad. This was really bad.

The footsteps were getting closer.

Heat rushed to my head.

Without thinking, I reached down and grabbed him with force, stunned by how big he was...