Chapter 4: The Night She Crossed the Line

That night, I was surprised to see Savannah in the guest bedroom. Ever since we got married, we’d slept in separate rooms.

She stood in the doorway, wearing a black lace nightgown that hugged her curves, her hair loose around her shoulders. Her eyes were dark, unreadable, but there was something almost desperate in the way she lingered.

She wore black lace, her expression more hesitant than seductive, her posture awkward, like she wasn’t sure she wanted to be there.

The fabric clung to her, the neckline plunging low. She looked more like she was trying to play a part than actually wanting me. I could smell her perfume, sharp and unfamiliar.

"Eli, we’ve been married five years and never even been intimate. Let’s finally act like a real couple tonight."

Her voice was soft, almost shy. She stepped closer, her cheeks flushed, eyes darting away from mine.

Her hand slid up my chest, her fingers barely touching my skin.

Her touch was hesitant, almost like she was afraid of me. I shivered, but not from desire. Something about this felt wrong.

But as a wave of dizziness hit, her words echoed in my mind:

A wave of dizziness washed over me. Her words from earlier played on repeat, each syllable a dagger to my heart.

"If I have to, I’ll just sleep with him. He’ll be eating out of my hand."

So she really would go that far for Carter.

It was all a game. I was just another piece on her board. She’d do anything for Carter—even this. The realization made my skin crawl.

I shoved her away. Blood soaked through my bandage.

Pain shot up my arm, but I barely noticed. I pushed her back, my heart hammering in my chest.

"Eli, maybe you’re just not man enough!" Savannah shot a look at my lap, her eyebrow arched.

She snorted, her voice laced with sarcasm. I felt my face burn, humiliation cutting deep.

I looked at her, hollow. "You don’t have to do this."

My voice was barely a whisper. I couldn’t look her in the eye.

Savannah panicked.

Her mask cracked. She took a step back, hands trembling.

"You heard everything?" she blurted, trying to sound calm, but her voice shook.

Her eyes darted around the room, searching for an escape. I almost pitied her for a split second.

I saw her hands gripping the bedsheet, her whole body shaking.

She clung to the fabric like it was a lifeline. For a moment, she looked so small, I almost felt sorry for her.

With a mocking smile, I looked at her and asked, "Heard what?"

I forced a smile, my voice cold and flat. I wanted her to squirm.

"Aren’t you just trying to make it up to me for clearing out my boxing room?"

I let the question hang, daring her to lie again.

Savannah instantly relaxed:

She let out a shaky breath, shoulders dropping. She forced a smile, acting like nothing happened.

"You’re right, that’s all it is."

"But if you’re not into it, forget it."

She shrugged, grabbing a towel and draping it over herself. Her voice went breezy, almost too casual.

She grabbed a towel, tossed it over her shoulders, and walked out, heading back to the master bedroom.

She didn’t look back, her footsteps echoing down the hall. I watched her go, feeling hollowed out.

Watching her walk away, I felt a strange mix of emotions.

Anger, regret, relief—all jumbled together. I wondered when we’d gotten so lost.

Ignoring the pain in my wrist, I got up and followed her.

I couldn’t help myself. I needed answers, even if they hurt.

But at the master bedroom door, I heard Savannah on the phone:

Her voice was low, urgent. I pressed my ear to the door, my heart pounding. What was I doing, listening at doors like a jealous kid?

"Carter, Eli really can’t do it. I tried seducing him just now and he still turned me down."

"You’re the best. I’ll come see you tomorrow…"

Her words were soft, intimate. I felt sick, bile rising in my throat.

The pain in my chest was suffocating. I couldn’t believe Savannah would actually do this.

I pressed my fist to my mouth, trying not to make a sound. The betrayal was total.

Back when we first got married, I begged her to be with me, but she always refused:

I remembered the nights I waited up, the excuses she gave, the way she’d flinch if I got too close.

"Eli, I just need to focus on my career right now. You get that, don’t you?"

Her voice echoed in my mind. I’d believed her. Wanted to believe her. I’d done everything she asked, hoping one day she’d love me back.

Because of that, I threw myself into closing deals for her, drank so much I got stomach ulcers.

I worked myself sick. Literally. Gave up everything, just to make her life easier. And she’d been lying the whole time.

But she’d been with Carter all along…

I wondered how many nights she’d spent in his arms while I waited up. The thought made my stomach turn.

I couldn’t stand listening to her breathless whispers in the master bedroom anymore. I couldn’t hold back—I burst in:

I shoved open the door, anger boiling over. I didn’t care if I made a scene.

"Savannah, what are you doing!"

My voice was raw, desperate. She spun around, face pale with shock.

She panicked, tossing her phone to the floor. I saw Carter’s face on the screen.

He looked smug, a little too pleased with himself. I wanted to punch something—anything.

She scrambled to pick it up and started explaining: "I was just talking business with Carter about tomorrow."

"But you—why’d you barge in? Didn’t I tell you to knock before coming into my room?"

She glared at me, voice rising. I could see the fear in her eyes, but she hid it behind anger.

She pushed me out and slammed the door behind me.

The door rattled in its frame. I stood there, fists clenched, breathing hard.