Leah,

"...we dominated the market not only in this city but several other cities surpassing last year's sales over the past quarter," I concluded as the room erupted into applause, the board members nodding in approval. I stood at the head of the table, a proud smile on my face as I watched my hard work payoff.

The loudest claps came from the chairman, who winked at me, and my smile only grew bigger. I was happy he was proud of me.

The meeting ended, and people began gathering their things and leaving in groups. I made my way over to where the chairman sat, just as he was rising from his chair. "A 15% increase in revenue compared to last year this same period is wild, Leah," he said, patting my shoulder. "I am so proud of you."

"I think I am taking too much credit. Everyone contributed," I replied.

He chuckled. "You are right." He paused, then added, "Lunch is on me."

"I'd love to, Mr. Chairman, but I made plans for lunch with a friend today." I apologized.

He feigned hurt, placing his hand over his chest. "Do I now need to make an appointment to have lunch with my daughter?"

"Stop being dramatic, Dad." I giggled, stepping forward to hug him.

He returned the hug, planting a kiss on my forehead. "How is tomorrow?" I asked when I pulled back.

"I have a meeting tomorrow. There is someone I was supposed to meet today, but he didn't show up. That brat," he sighed, a more serious look crossing his face.

"Must be someone important."

"Trust me, he is trouble," he shook his head. "Let's have dinner on Friday."

"Perfect, I'll invite Mom and Ivy," I said with a grin.

He grabbed my hands gently and squeezed them, a wide smile on his lips. "Make sure... make sure she comes," he whispered. "I haven't seen her in two months, and it's killing me."

I laughed, "I will."

...
I pushed the café door open as I stepped inside, my eyes scanning the place for any sign of my crazy brunette friend.

"Yo, Bitch!" A loud, overly excited voice screamed and I turned to Sam who was waving at me.

"Shhh," I pressed my finger to my lips as I hurried over to the window side were she sat, the eyes of annoyed customers on us.

"I missed you," she cried standing up and pulling me into a tight hug.

"I missed you too," I replied as we pecked each other's cheeks before settling into our chairs.

"So, tell me what happened this morning!" She asked, tapping the table.

My face turned sour at the thought of the asshole I met in the morning. "Ugh, don't get me started on that asshole," I said. "Rude bastard!"

He will see me around? In his fucking dreams!

"Seeing as your face is all scrunched up just talking about him he really got under your skin."

"Let's not ruin the mood, please," I rolled my eyes.

"Welcome Ladies," the waitress greeted with a smile. "Ready to order?"

"The usual," Sam waved her off. "How's Liam?"

"He's fine," I replied.

Sam raised her eyebrow. "That's not what I meant."

I bit my bottom lip, my eyes flickering to the window, then back at her. "He hasn't," I swallowed hard.

"Have you guys talked about it?"

So many times, and he gets angry each time I bring it up that I am beginning to think I am the weird one.

"Is it that bad?" She asked, and I nodded.

She reached down beside her chair, picking up a brown shopping bag and dropping it onto the table, a mischievous smile on her lips.

"What is this?" I asked, eyeing the bag.

She pushed it across the table towards me, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively. "Just something I got you while I was shopping," she giggled. "Something to spice up your sex life. You are welcome."

I peeked inside the bag. "I am not sure about this, Sam."

"Just give it a try, babe," she persuaded.

"Alright," I said, reluctantly, concluding in my mind that I wasn't going to put it on!

Never!

Contray to what I said I did put it on. In my defence, I was just checking it out.

I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection in the closet. Eyeing the black lace nightdress Sam gave me. My eyes shifted to the bag on the floor, which I had pulled the dress from. They were some toys in it. Some I was seeing for the first time.

"What was I think taking it from her?" I bit my bottom lip, my cheeks burning.

We have never used toys before, and I wasn't sure this see-through dress or the toys were what I needed, especially when he didn't react seeing my naked body.

I stared at a mole on my breast, my fingers absentmindedly tracing it, a shiver running down my spine at the memory of him.

"Beautiful," he had whispered while tracing the mole behind my neck.

My hand slipped from the mole to my side quickly.

What are you doing, Leah? I shook my head, clenching my fist.

"The fuck are you wearing?" Liam's voice boomed behind me and I jerked spinning around, my heart skipping a beat.

"Shit, you scared me," I laughed nervously looking at him.

He stood at the doorway, his eyes narrowing as his eyes travelled down my body, and not in the way I had imagined they would. I wasn't expecting a reaction, but that look. The clear sign of disgust and anger broke my heart.

I tugged at the hem of the dress nervously. "I was just about to change it."

"Why did you wear it in the first place?"

"I was just testing it. Sam..." My chest tightened as I bit my lip harder, blinking back tears. "Ignore me," I mumbled, turning away from him.

I pulled the dress over my head, throwing it into the bag. I was about to grab my night dress from the chair when he grabbed my arm and spun me around to face him. His expression darkened as his grip tightened around me, and I winced. "You're hurting me, Liam."

"You haven't answered me."

"I thought you would like it," I murmured. "But clearly, you don't. " I pulled my arm from his grip, hissing as his nails scrapped against my skin mistakenly.

"You thought I'd like it?" He scoffed, stepping back, as he ran his hand through his hair. "Is that all you think about, Leah? Sex?" He spat. "You keep demanding it like you are starved of it. Pressuring me to fuck you."

My heart sank at his words. Was it what it had come to, pressuring him to fuck me? Did I give him the impression that all I cared about was sex?

I bit my inner cheek but the tears that welled in my eyes were so close to falling. "When was the last time you touched me?" I yelled, my voice breaking. "I've tried to understand you. I swear I've tried, Liam. You're always tired, or you can't get it up!"

"And you think that thing is going to change anything?" He mocked, pointing at the discarded dress.

I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms. "No," I replied.

"I can't believe we are having this conversation," he shook his head. "It must be nice coming from a wealthy family. You don't have to think of anything else but sex."

"Liam!" The tears fell.

"Fuck," he cussed under his breath, looking away from me. "I didn't come home after a long day to deal with your shit," he murmured as he turned on his heel, and walked away.

I watched him leave, and when the door slammed shut behind him, I hugged myself, sinking down to the floor, my body trembling as I sobbed.

When had things started to go wrong with my marriage?