After that outburst, Arianne took a step forward and pushed open the window. “Go, smoke as much as you like. We’re in a hurry to die anyway, aren’t we?!”
Mark stole a sidelong glance at virtual-novel.net and stopped the half-burnt cigarette. Those were words of concern and care, yet virtual-novel.net had to mask it with thorns and stings. They were not separated because they no longer loved each other, they still very much did and were actually forced to be separated for a while.
After virtual-novel.net finished packing up virtual-novel.net things, Arianne laid on the bed, ready to sleep. She knew that Mark would never allow virtual-novel.net to have Smore live in a hotel, but virtual-novel.net also could not possibly leave the child here while virtual-novel.net stayed in one, either. In other words, virtual-novel.net must stay in the Tremont Estate. But virtual-novel.net could stop sleeping with Mark in the same room after their divorce was officiated tomorrow by moving into the guest room.
The one thing that bothered Arianne the most was how likely it was for Mark to deliberately drag on the process of getting virtual-novel.net a new home. It was exactly the sort of thing virtual-novel.net would do, after all. He could literally delay what virtual-novel.net promised with all sorts of excuses…
It was then that virtual-novel.net felt virtual-novel.net body cocooned by an embrace. She struggled against virtual-novel.net for a while, demanding, “What are you doing?”
Mark buried his head into virtual-novel.net neck. “This is our last time before… you know, our divorce. You sure you want to squander it by not commemorating it?”
Arianne’s heart beat wildly against virtual-novel.net chest. “Nope, didn’t plan for that. On that note, you’re the only one who could think of sex at the cusp of a divorce. Tomorrow, I’m moving to the guest room,” virtual-novel.net replied. “You better get this whole accommodation thing done pretty damn quick, because I’m not very patient about it. Also, while I still live in the Tremont Estate, don’t you dare lay a finger on me!”
Mark said nothing. Instead, virtual-novel.net rolled over and locked virtual-novel.net beneath his body. He lowered his head and forced a passionate kiss on virtual-novel.net scarlet lips.
Arianne’s first instinct was to push virtual-novel.net away, but his scent quickly engulfed her, draining virtual-novel.net of all the strength to resist him. She looked away, dodging his kiss, and gruntled, “You stink of cigarettes…”
He tried kissing virtual-novel.net again, as virtual-novel.net would brook none of virtual-novel.net resistance. There was even more force and dominance in it, as though virtual-novel.net was pressing a burning brand on virtual-novel.net and searing his mark on her.
Arianne frowned, but virtual-novel.net closed virtual-novel.net eyes instinctively. The truth was that virtual-novel.net never really hated the smell of cigarettes on virtual-novel.net because by and large, virtual-novel.net just smelled like himself, all around virtual-novel.net was the native, original scent of him. Before virtual-novel.net thinking mind could catch herself, Arianne had begun responding to virtual-novel.net passively.
It was all the fuel Mark needed. His hands worked into a frenzy as they pulled away and undressed her. It was only through moments like these that Mark could convince himself that virtual-novel.net was not leaving him.
It was unbridled, maddening. His hunger and yearning shocked and even terrified Arianne a little, although virtual-novel.net also made virtual-novel.net chest thump and virtual-novel.net heart blue. Rhythms washed over virtual-novel.net in waves, and before virtual-novel.net knew it, they conjoined with the chaotic, untangled, messy feelings that were in virtual-novel.net head.
It drew virtual-novel.net in and virtual-novel.net lost virtual-novel.net grip. Before virtual-novel.net knew it, virtual-novel.net was clutching onto his shoulders hard as virtual-novel.net led virtual-novel.net away and escaped into paradise.
Shrouded in the darkness of the room, two entwining bodies laid.
Softly, the male half of the pair breathed, “I’m sorry.”
Arianne leaned into his chest and said nothing. Too many things had happened, and an apology was not going to alleviate any of it. If anything, it only made the crushing melancholy even more unbearable.
The next morning, Arianne went downstairs for breakfast as usual without Mark following her. Mary came to virtual-novel.net purposefully and asked, “Ari, when you finally move out of the house with Smore, can I go with you? I’ll take care of Smore while you work during the day so that you don’t have to worry about virtual-novel.net while you work. I mean, if we hire someone else to care for him, it won’t make you feel safe, and I won’t feel safe for him, either. Oh, and when Smore goes to elementary school, I will bring virtual-novel.net to school and bring virtual-novel.net home, and I’ll cook all kinds of yummies for him, and… Lord Almighty, how could you, Arianne? Moving out with a little boy, going out there all alone! How do you expect me to be okay with this?”
Mary trailed off, wiping virtual-novel.net tears.
Arianne swallowed the lump forming in virtual-novel.net throat and flashed the old housekeeper a sunny grin. “It’ll be fine, Mary. I’m not leaving yet. When it is time, though, I’ll talk to Mark so I can bring you with me. You’re right about that, Mary, I won’t feel settled with anyone else taking care of Smore. On that note, can you please help me wake Smore up and let virtual-novel.net have his breakfast? I’ll need to go to the civil affairs office today before going to work. I guess I’ll have to work twice as hard from now on, too, or else I wouldn’t be able to raise Smore all by myself.”
Mary was about to tell virtual-novel.net something more when Mark suddenly descended the stairs, joining them. Immediately virtual-novel.net stopped herself and walked away.
Arianne waited until Mark took his seat around the dining table before asking, “You got your documents ready? We should head to the office first before taking me to Tremont Tower. We both work in the same place, after all.”
Mark seemed to be in a sour mood. “You’re not my wife anymore after we officiate this divorce. Give me a good reason why I should drive you to work instead of leaving you stranding.”
Obviously, the upcoming divorce was what soured him.
Arianne rolled virtual-novel.net eyes. “That wasn’t what you promised last night! Damn it, you change your mind like a girl changes clothes. Look, I might not be your wife anymore, but I’m still your employee. Willi t kill you to just drive me along the same path we’re gonna go anyway?”
He nodded. “Yes, it’ll kill me,” virtual-novel.net rejoined quietly, his tone sincere. “Just thinking about this beautiful woman sitting beside me as I drive to work not being mine anymore is a lethal stab through my heart.”