Chapter 1

After nearly ten years with Ethan, his performance in bed had taken a sharp nosedive as he approached thirty.

His temper and behavior had also grown increasingly bizarre and erratic.

Then, returning home from a business trip, I was shocked to find that Ethan seemed to have magically reverted to how he was when we first fell in love.

Our intimate life had never been better.

Yet one thing baffled me: every single time we made love, he insisted on blindfolding me.

At first, I thought he was just spicing things up.

Later, I realized that whenever we were tangled in the sheets, my hand would unconsciously trace a long scar across his back.

The problem was, Ethan had never had a scar on his back…

It was Thursday, two weeks since I’d returned from my business trip.

Ever since I got back, Ethan and his mother, Evelyn, had been treating me with an unsettling amount of affection. It was sweet, but strange.

At first, I didn't think much of it. I figured it was just because I had recently been promoted to department supervisor, while Ethan was still stuck in a dead-end entry-level job.

I thought they were just kissing up to me because I had become the primary breadwinner of the household.

Ever since my return, Ethan seemed like a completely different man. Every night, he initiated intimacy, leaving me utterly exhausted and hazy.

Evelyn also made a habit of bringing me a warm glass of milk every morning and every night before bed.

She claimed it was to nourish my body and keep my strength up.

I genuinely believed good fortune had finally smiled upon our marriage.

That afternoon, a package I ordered arrived—a sheer, sultry lace nightgown.

I figured that since Ethan was putting in so much effort in the bedroom, I should step up my game too.

Conveniently, Evelyn called that afternoon saying she was driving out to her hometown in the countryside to pick up some things.

Tonight was the perfect chance to give Ethan a real surprise.

I grabbed the package and headed home early.

Ethan wasn't back from work yet, so I took a long shower and pampered my skin with scented lotions until I was soft, fragrant, and glowing.

After slipping into the sheer lingerie, I hid in the bedroom closet, waiting to jump out.

Before long, I heard the front door click open. It was Ethan.

"Hello, Mr. Sterling? Yes, as soon as everything is ready, I'll text you. Then you can come over."

Mr. Sterling? Why is Ethan talking so subserviently, like a nervous lapdog? Hearing that name, I thought to myself.

Wait, is he bringing a guest over? If someone's coming, I definitely can't be dressed like this.

Just as I was about to step out of the closet, Ethan walked into the master bedroom.

I shrank back. Parading out in front of him half-naked when someone was expected felt humiliating.

So I stayed put. A moment later, Ethan took another call and stepped out of the apartment.

I crept out of the closet, slipped on a pair of regular pajamas, and threw a casual tank top on underneath.

It was dinnertime, and when I walked into the kitchen, I noticed a mug of warm milk Evelyn had left on the counter.

How sweet of her, I thought, lifting it to my lips and drinking half.

Just as I set it down, Ethan walked back in. He froze when he saw me. "Nora? When did you get home?"

Too embarrassed to bring up the lingerie, I quickly came up with an excuse.

"Oh, I wasn't feeling well, so I took off early."

I noticed the nervous twitch in his expression. "Is something wrong? Did something happen at work?"

Ethan seemed snapped back to reality. A stiff smile tugged at his lips as he stepped forward and pulled me into his arms.

"Nothing's wrong. I just missed you, babe."

Nestled against his chest, I felt a rush of warmth.

Then his eyes drifted toward the glass on the counter. "Did you drink the milk?"

"Yeah, I was a little hungry."

"How much did you drink?"

"About half."

Hearing that, Ethan seemed to let out a subtle sigh of relief.

His hands around my waist began to roam, his lips grazing against my earlobe. The electric shiver made my knees go weak, melting my body into his touch.

He scooped me up in his arms and carried me straight into the bedroom.

Just like every night for the past two weeks, he picked up the black lace blindfold from the nightstand, intending to cover my eyes.

Seeing his hands move, I pouted playfully. "Can we skip it tonight? I want to watch you."