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I come again, screaming his name, and he follows soon after, emptying himself inside me with a low groan.

We collapse together, sweaty and breathless, his body heavy and warm on top of mine.

I stare at the ceiling, heart racing, trying to remember why I was so angry with him this morning. Right now, I can’t seem to find the reason at all.

And then he drops a bombshell that yanks me straight out of my post-orgasmic haze.

“My nephew, Luke, is coming for dinner next weekend. He couldn’t make it for our wedding because he was out of the city. He can’t wait to see you.”

Oh, wonderful. Just what I needed.

Chapter Twenty

Rosie

I take a slow sip of my mimosa, letting the bubbles tickle my tongue as I stare out the large window of our favorite brunch spot.

One of the things I’ve missed most about being back in New York is this, lazy weekend brunches with Mabel, just the two of us, laughing and talking like we used to before everything got so complicated.

Mabel sets her fork down and gives me a serious look across the table. “You have to tell him, Rosie. Before he finds out himself.”

I inhale deeply, my chest tightening. “I know.”

She leans forward. “It will be so much better if Andrei hears it from you and not from Luke. You know that, right?”

I nod, staring down at my half-eaten avocado toast. She’s right. I know she’s right. But knowing and doing are two very different things.

Since Andrei casually mentioned that Luke is coming over for dinner, I’ve tried to tell him at least four times. Every single time the words get stuck in my throat. I lose my nerve completely. The dinner is tonight and I still haven’t told him.

As if she can read my thoughts, Mabel sighs. “I don’t understand why you’re holding back. You’re already married. What’s the worst that could happen? Andrei gets pissed, yells a little, and maybe even asks for a divorce?” She shrugs. “Honestly? That would be great, right?”

Her words hang in the air between us.

Would it? Would a divorce really be great?

Just last week, that was all I wanted, to be rid of Andrei, to escape this forced marriage and run as far as possible. But these past few days… something has shifted. The way he looks at me, the way he touches me, the way he is with Anya… it’s messing with my head. The thought of actually leaving him now makes my stomach churn in a way I wasn’t expecting.

Mabel studies my face, then her eyes widen with realization. “Oh… you don’t want to leave anymore, do you?”

I bite down on my lower lip, heat creeping up my neck. “I never said that.”

Mabel throws her head back and laughs, loud and delighted. “I knew it! I saw the way you two were looking at each other on your wedding day. Girl… you’re in love.”

I smile despite myself, shaking my head. “I’m not sure love is the right word.”

“Oh, it is,” she says confidently, still grinning. “You just don’t want to admit it yet.”

I don’t argue with her. Because deep down, I’m terrified she might be right.

I think Mabel’s words over in my head. Am I in love with Andrei? Or am I just… dickmatized?

The truth is, I genuinely don’t know what I feel. Everything with him happened so fast. I wonder if it’s just the way he touches me, the way he fucks me. I can’t tell if it’s love or if I’m completely dickmatized.

“I don’t know what I feel,” I admit.

Mabel smiles, that knowing, patient smile she always gives when she thinks I’m overthinking.

“With time,” she says gently, “you’ll figure it out.”