"And I suggest you stay here with your petty jealousy and disgusting thoughts; I don’t want to see your face and ruin my time.”

Mandy’s words echoed in Mark's mind, making his blood boil. The thought of losing to such a frail existence was maddening, filling him with a burning rage.

Taking his phone out of his pocket, he dialed a number with no name attached. As usual, it was answered instantly. Without any greeting, he asked in a frosty, emotionless tone, “Where are you now?"

“Hi! I'm still at the office. Is everything alright, Mark?” Despite his coldness, the other person sounded anxious.

“Come to your apartment immediately. I’m waiting.” He ended the call without waiting for a response.

Looking at her phone screen, which showed a call duration of seven seconds, she frowned. The earlier humiliation still stung. This was what she had wanted and decided to do, but it was infuriating nonetheless.

"Is that all I'm worth? Do I really matter so little to him? she asked herself, knowing she wasn't important to him even in the slightest was even more vexing.

"No, Shelaine, these negative thoughts are meaningless. He called me because he needed me. For now, that's enough. Surely, there will come a day when he is mine and mine alone."

Smiling proudly to herself, she quickly gathered her things and left the office.

Upon reaching her destination, she parked in her usual spot and took the elevator. It was only 3:15 PM, so the building was mostly empty. Humming her favorite song, she boarded the lift, pressed the usual floor number, and took out her makeup kit. After applying a deep red lipstick, she glanced at herself in the mirror, a satisfactory smile spreading on her devilish red lips.

“This is another step towards victory.” Encouraging herself inwardly, she proudly stepped out of the elevator. Unlocking the door of her house she walked to her bedroom calmly, knowing he would be there, and she wasn’t wrong. He was sitting on the bed with his legs down and was staring at the floor. Removing her coat and heels along the way she slowly walked towards him and stood in front just a few inches ways from him. Seeing someone entering his field of vision, he lifted his head and she flinched looking into his blood shot eyes. Suddenly, he grabbed her by wrist pulling her towards him then pushed her to bed. Pinning both her hands above her head, he started kissing her intensely. She gasped at the sudden attacked but then giving into the desire and passion, she kissed him back with much fervor.

She slowly opened her eyes to find Mark getting dressed. Seeing him ready to leave filled her with discontent. Why was her happiness always so short-lived? Feeling distressed, she questioned herself. He only approached her to vent his frustration and anger, leaving as soon as he was done. That’s how it had always been, but she longed to be valued, to feel special to him even for a moment.

“Mark, stay a little longer, please,” she begged.

“I can’t,” he responded in an icy tone. Ignoring their usual agreement, she swallowed her pride and pleaded again.

“I won’t ask you to spend the night, but please stay with me just for a few hours, or even a few more minutes.”

“I don’t like repeating myself.” He glared sharply at her, his voice cruel and cold, and left.

The frost in his voice burned her. She clenched her fists so hard that her nails dug into her palms, drawing blood.