Chapter 2His Game, My Rules

That evening, after dropping Lena off at her apartment, I returned home.

As usual, Lydia was in the kitchen, preparing dinner. A few dishes were already on the table—food I wasn’t particularly fond of, but could tolerate.

I couldn’t help but sigh in annoyance. She was still upset.

During dinner, Lydia said nothing about the day's events. I cleared my throat, picking up the bouquet and gift bag I’d placed on a chair, breaking the strained silence in the dining room.

""Honey, these are for you.""

""The bag was a special order from last month, and the necklace, too…""

This was the first time in our ten years of marriage that I felt compelled to stumble over my words, driven by a newfound guilt to mask my transgression.

I couldn't discern if Lydia believed me or not. Then she set down her utensils, interrupting me. ""Do you truly love her?""

Her sudden question caught me off guard.

""The young woman from today.""

""Lena.""

The more Lydia stared at me, the more my head throbbed. All the carefully constructed arguments I’d rehearsed in the car on the way home dissolved. Deciding to be direct, I blurted out, ""Or, perhaps, we could discuss something.""

""What if we tried an open marriage? Would you consider it?""

""If you ever found someone who captured your heart, you could also…""

""Alright.""