Chapter 3 Between Guilt and Desire

Blake's POV

I tried to run after Ana but was stopped by Selene. She said Ana was trying to gaslight me, having come with her lover-the guy who had been chasing after her. I didn't know what to believe, but I knew I couldn't face Ana right now. Not right now.

I fell into the plush chair trying to get my mind off whatever had just happened. The bottom of the glass cup hit the table with a thud after I put the contents into my mouth. Selene and I ended up spending the night together.

"Blake, what's really on your mind?" Selene asked gently, moving away a little and looking deep into my eyes.

I sighed, rubbing the back of my head. "It's just... complicated," I admitted, my voice almost a whisper. "Ana and I... we're not what we used to be."

"Maybe it's time to move on," she suggested, her eyes searching mine. "You deserve to be happy."

Happy. The word felt foreign, almost laughable. Could I ever be happy while betraying the woman who had trusted me with her heart? The guilt was there, but it was muted, buried under layers of indifference.

"I'm not sure that I can," I said finally, my voice filled with desolation. Selene crossed her arms and sat in the chair. "You can't live your life in limbo, Blake. You have to make a choice."

Her words hung heavy in the air. Making a choice felt impossible. Either way, someone would get hurt, and deep down, I knew the person I was hurting the most was myself.

We spent the rest of the night together, but my mind was elsewhere, lost in the haze of alcohol and the temporary solace Selene provided. As I lay next to her, staring at the ceiling, I felt a pang of emptiness. Ana and I used to have goals and plans for the future, now seeming distant and remote, as if they belonged to another person in another life.

The truth was, I was spineless, a coward. I seemed to have lost all courage to face the reality of my marriage falling apart. It was easier to slip into the arms of another woman and hide my sins under deceit and betrayal.

The darkness before dawn, Selene lying next to me as sleep consumed me despite the fear inching closer. The lies and betrayal would have consequences, and that day was approaching. But for now, I pushed those thoughts aside, content to live at the moment, in the false comfort Selene provided.

The next day would force me to face the consequences. But tonight, I'd get lost in the show, get lost in the temporal solace Selene provided, in the lie that everything was okay when it was quite the opposite.

Anastasia's POV

I felt nostalgic when he accepted my offer for a drink. Sad, because it didn't feel right and seemed the smallest way to say thank you. Happy, because I suddenly didn't want to be alone.

Well, one drink became many drinks. Talking with him made me feel different, lighter. I hadn't laughed genuinely for a while. He didn't judge me about what happened in the past hour, exactly what I needed-someone who could lift my mood without hinting at Blake.

My phone pinged with messages from the group.

Sofia: Ana, did you get home safely?

Anastasia: Kinda, will talk in detail later.

I replied to the messages, appreciating my friends' caring nature. Their thoughtful words were a comforting reminder of the support I had, especially in moments like these. As I lifted the glass to my lips, the alcohol quickly clouded my senses, and I clumsily spilled the drink onto my dress.

"Oops!" I exclaimed, a gentle chortle escaping my lips as I looked down at the spreading stain. "I'll just go wash this off." I stood up quickly, intending to head to the bathroom, but in my unsteady state, I stumbled directly into him.

We collided softly, our faces suddenly inches apart. I could feel his breath, warm and inviting. For a moment, we were frozen in that intimate space. I stared into his eyes, my gaze slowly drifting down to his lips, which were so close I could almost taste them.

I replied to the messages appreciating the fact that I have friends who are caring. I spilled the drink on my dress as I tried to sip from the glass-my drunken state setting in quickly.

"Oops!," I said, releasing a gentle chortle "I will just go wash this off,"

I stood up quickly and stumbled on him, putting us in a position where our faces were in close contact. I stared at him for a while, my eyes slowly drifting to his lips.

Conflicting emotions swirled within me. As a married woman, guilt gnawed at my conscience, reminding me of vows and commitments. Yet, there was an undeniable attraction pulling me towards him, a magnetic force that seemed impossible to resist. My heart raced, caught between duty to my husband and the raw, electric connection I felt.

I can't believe the way I am feeling right now, having such intentions as a married woman. I could see Angel-little me and Devil-little me, giving separate advice they deemed fit right. I don't think I can help it.

It's exactly at this moment you'd curse at emotions. The alcohol adds fuel to the fire, and my vision is getting blurry, fast. The alcohol was clouding my judgment, making it hard to think clearly.

I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks, and I knew alcohol wasn't the only thing making my head spin. His presence was intoxicating, a dangerous allure that threatened to unravel the carefully constructed boundaries of my life.

I leaned in closer and brought my face closer to his, feeling the warmth of his breath.

The next I knew, our lips were locked together as we shared a passionate kiss. A connection so intense it obliterated everything else around us.