After reading her message, I instinctively glanced at our bedroom and replied sourly, "Don't even get me started. It was a total letdown!"

Sophia sent me a snickering emoji, followed by several voice messages. "Honestly, what is wrong with Mr. Birch? He has such a gorgeous wife at home, yet he's leaving you hanging.

"Why don't I hook you up with some guys I know from the clubs? I guarantee they'll give you exactly what you've been itching for and make sure you can't even get out of bed tomorrow!"

I snorted at her suggestion, yet my mind was already racing with unspeakable images.

My heart began to race as a feverish warmth took over my body. I squeezed my thighs together as if those men were standing right there in front of me, surrounding me, taunting me with their words, and dragged me deeper into a trance I couldn't escape.

It lasted for a dozen seconds before I hurriedly pushed those unrealistic thoughts aside and pretended to be curious. "Are they really that good? Sounds like you're speaking from personal experience."

Sure enough, she gave me an affirmative answer.

"Mhm. So long as you're willing to shell out the cash, you can have your pick of the litter. They're all young studs with rock-hard muscles and washboard abs, and they know exactly how to please a woman!"

I had always known Sophia lived a wild life in private, but I hadn't expected her to be quite this bold.

"But he's so good to you. He just has a little performance issue. Why don't you just put up with it?"

I rolled my eyes and retorted, "That's easy for you to say. You're not the one suffering over here!"

Sophia let out a dry chuckle before continuing, "Well, talk about perfect timing! Mr. Birch has a business dinner tonight and will most likely be home late. Why don't I take you out to broaden your horizons a bit?"

Her words piqued my interest, and I snapped up the offer without a moment of hesitation.

…

That evening, I stood before the mirror, trying on one outfit after another.

Ultimately, I settled on a lace-knit maxi dress. Looking in the mirror, I knew I would be a showstopper. I could already feel the collective stare of passersby as they found themselves completely mesmerized.

Even though I was desperate for a release, I was still a conservative woman at heart. I paired the dress with a set of light-colored lingerie, creating a look that was sexy yet innocent. It was the perfect blend of ethereal and sultry.

And just like that, I followed the location Sophia had sent and found my way to that secluded nightclub.

As soon as I stepped inside, the thunderous bass began to vibrate in my chest. I looked up and noticed the dance floor was a sea of bodies, barely dressed and acting with reckless abandon. The scene set my blood on fire, and I found myself longing to be one of those women up there.

Gorgeous men and women were lost in each other in the corners of the club. I caught a glimpse of a woman's long legs coiled around a man's waist, and I didn't have the nerve to pry further. I bolted for the restroom.

After shutting the door behind me, I felt completely drained. Leaning against it, I gasped for air and crossed my legs tightly. I clamped my hand over my mouth, not daring to make a sound.

The very next second, someone started banging on the door. My heart leaped into my throat, and I was paralyzed with fear that someone would see the state I was in.

"Is anyone in there? Can you hurry up?"

Seconds ticked by, but I didn't dare move a muscle. Clearly, the person outside was growing impatient and knocked even harder. "Hey, is someone in there or not? If you don't open up soon, I'm coming in. I can't hold on any longer!"

With a creak, I hurriedly pushed the door open, but just as I was about to make a run for it, a man got in my way. He seized my wrist and eyed me with suspicion.

"Lorelei?"

Before I could answer, the man rushed into the bathroom and turned his back to me to relieve himself.

"Long time no see," he said casually. "I'm surprised to find a goody-two-shoes like you in a place like this. Is Caspian here? No? I haven't seen him in a hot minute; I kind of miss him!"

Realization dawned on me—he was my husband's friend, Jason Laurier. I had only met him once, on the day of our wedding, when he had served as the best man.

"Oh, he had something to do tonight, so he couldn't come. I came here with a friend."

Before I knew it, he had closed in on me. His hand brushed against my rear, and despite myself, a soft cry escaped me. In an instant, silence settled in the cramped space.

He watched me with keen interest, and I found myself stealing glances at him as well. He was tanned and ripped. His form-fitting shirt constantly accentuated his solid pectorals, and his thick, muscular arms looked incredibly strong.

I couldn't help but fantasize. I imagined that he must be formidable in bed.

A few seconds later, Jason looked at me with concern. "Lorelei, are you okay? Your face is so red."

He closed the distance between us and pressed his hand on my forehead to check my temperature. "You're quite warm. You aren't coming down with something, are you?"

When I heard that, I tilted my head back, only to realize his height gave him an unobstructed view of my chest every time he looked down.

Right as my mind was racing, he abruptly seized my waist and hoisted me up, carrying me back into the restroom. He leaned in, inhaling deeply. "You smell incredible, Lorelei. I wonder, does Caspian know how little you're wearing right now?"

Part of me was terrified, yet another part was secretly hoping that something would actually happen between us.

I shook my head repeatedly. "S-Stay back! If Caspian finds out, he'll never forgive you!"

Instead of getting mad, Jason chuckled. He reached out and tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. "I wonder if your body is as stubborn as your mouth is, Lorelei."

"Stop it!" I yelled.

At that moment, Sophia's voice drifted in from outside. "Lori? Lori, are you in there?"

Without a second thought, I called out, "I'm in here!"

Right after saying that, I gave Jason a meaningful look. He calmly released his grip, a faint smile curling at his lips as he said lowly in a voice that only the two of us could hear. "Don't worry, we'll be seeing each other again!"

When I emerged from the restroom, I lied to Sophia, claiming I had an upset stomach, and I ran home like a woman possessed.

When I passed through an alleyway, I ran into a group of hoodlums who whistled at my retreating figure.

"Hey, beautiful, are you looking for some company? Hold on a second. I'm sure at least one of us is your type!"

Those crude remarks made me tremble with fear, yet it felt as though the repressed little demon inside me was being stirred into life, slowly beginning to grow. At that very moment, I made up my mind; I had to have a proper talk with Caspian.

The moment I pushed open the front door, I realized he was already home, wearing an apron and simmering soup in the kitchen. He looked at me, surprised, before taking a few glances at the clock on the wall.

He sat across from me, his eyes filled with affection as he smiled. "Honey, I apologize for how I acted last night. I hope you won't hold it against me. Here, take this card and buy yourself something nice. Think of it as my way of making amends."

Furious, I shot to my feet and raised my voice. "Why on earth can't you just listen to me and go get yourself checked, Caspian Birch?"

The moment the words left my mouth, I saw the veins on his forehead bulge, and his open hands clenched into tight fists. He stared at me coldly, as if I weren't his wife but a complete stranger.

"Do you want a divorce?" he asked sharply. "You had better keep my secret safe, or else… you and your family will have hell to pay!"

With that, he stormed back to the guest bedroom and slammed the door shut.

…

Caspian and I remained at odds for the next few weeks. He was hardly ever home, and on the rare occasion he returned, it was usually well past midnight, and he'd be gone again before I even woke up.

I reveled in the peace and quiet, spending my days getting spa treatments or doing yoga with Sophia every other day.

One night, just after I had gone to bed, I heard someone pounding on the front door over and over again. "Mrs. Birch, Mr. Birch has had too much to drink…"

The moment I opened the door and saw who it was, I couldn't help but ask, "What are you doing here?"

Jason smirked before scanning the interior of our house. "I'm Caspian's driver now, Lorelei. It looks like we'll be seeing each other more often from now on."

His words sent a chill down my spine, reminding me of what he had said that night at the club. With no time to dwell on anything, I heaved my intoxicated husband toward the bedroom, using a damp towel to wipe him down.

After settling him into bed, it suddenly hit me that Jason was still in our house. I hurried into the living room, only to find it empty.

Had he already left? Oddly enough, that realization set my mind at ease.

The very next second, I pricked up my ears and was surprised to hear a shuffling sound from the direction of the study. Barefoot, I crept toward it and cautiously pushed the door open.

Without warning, a large hand snared me, yanking me into the room. I was pinned against him in the dark, caught in a crushing embrace.

We were flush against each other, skin to skin. My back was wedged against his groin, and I could feel his hardness forcing its way toward my most sensitive spot.

A single door was all that separated us. If Caspian regained even a shred of consciousness and opened it, he'd find us locked in each other's arms. Perhaps he'd even see our bodies glued together, leaving zero room for air between us.

I lowered my voice, terrified of waking Caspian and even more afraid that Jason would use my past against me.

"What the hell are you doing?" I hissed. "I told you to let go of me! Do you not hear me?"

My protests fell on deaf ears. His hands roamed over my body as he took whatever he wanted with reckless abandon. I was forced to be a silent witness to my own violation, allowing his hands to knead and explore my body.

His hands cupped the swell of my breasts, filling his palms as he kneaded and squeezed with varying intensity. The slight pain and pleasure from his caress coiled together, sending a furious blush to my cheeks.

My traitorous body bloomed under his hands, and in a matter of seconds, I was sopping wet between my legs.

I shook my head frantically, but I was utterly at his mercy. He snagged the edge of my lace, baring me to his feverish touch as his palm pressed firmly against my heat. Only after I let out a shameful moan did he press his lips against my earlobe.

"I know you've been lonely, Lorelei. Let me take care of you."