Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Iker’s eyes flickered toward his brother. “I know.”
“Then why address her as just Scarlette?”
“I’m simply being cordial.”
“Hypocrite.”
“Kenji, have you lost your mind?” Scarlette hissed through clenched teeth.
Iker merely stroked Kenji’s head. “Jealous little man.”
After dinner, Iker pulled Kenji aside, intent on sharing his romantic expertise about the proper way to court a young woman.
Kenji brushed off the advice with casual confidence. “Don’t worry about it, Iker. I’ve got my own approach.”
“You’re young and hotheaded,” Iker countered. “One day, you’ll understand what I’m saying.”
“Iker, mind if I speak candidly?”
Iker sensed an impending barb but nodded. “Go ahead.”
Kenji delivered his blow without mercy. “I think Cathleen fell under your spell because she’s loved you since childhood, not because of any particular charm on your part.”
“I welcome such honesty,” Iker replied, unruffled. “Please, continue.”
As their conversation unfolded, Scarlette huddled with Cathleen nearby, their heads close together in whispered consultation. Whatever Scarlette was asking seemed to give Cathleen pause, as Cathleen gestured meaningfully toward Iker.
Scarlette’s gaze shifted to Iker, her expression contemplative. Iker settled beside Cathleen, and Scarlette leaned in to murmur something in his ear.
Kenji’s brow furrowed as he pulled out his phone to text Cathleen.
“What are you and Scarlette discussing?”
Despite having grown up close, Cathleen remained steadfast in her discretion. She texted back, “I promised Scarlette I’d keep it between us.”
Kenji asked, “Is she badmouthing me?”
“Oh, she’s done plenty of that already.”
Kenji put down his phone, his attention drawn to Scarlette, still earnestly bent toward Iker, her face alight with curiosity. The sight stirred an unfamiliar unease within him.
Kenji was irritated. What could Cathleen possibly have overlooked about Iker?
Why was Scarlette compelled to inquire directly from Iker? Was Scarlette unaware that certain matters were meant to remain confidential between partners?
That evening, Jaida approached to offer Scarlette a comforting option.
“Iker and Cathleen will be our guests for a few nights. If you find the nights too lonely, why not join Cathleen? She would enjoy your company, and you two could chat into the night,” Jaida said.
Growing up without siblings, Scarlette was unaccustomed to the dynamic of a bustling household. The prospect of sharing a room with Cathleen thrilled her, and she accepted with enthusiasm.
The plan was set. Scarlette would bunk with Cathleen, while Iker and Kenji occupied individual rooms.
Once Scarlette and Cathleen were alone, their conversation flowed without pause.
Cathleen occasionally paused to respond to messages on her phone.
After one such interruption, Cathleen resumed her engaging chat with Scarlette. Observing Cathleen’s slight distraction, Scarlette stifled a yawn and suggested, “It’s getting late, Cathleen. We should head to bed.”
Cathleen concurred and helped Scarlette settle in for the night.
The room’s cozy warmth negated the need for heavy covers, yet Cathleen’s nurturing cover-up brought a delighted smile to Scarlette, who snuggled contentedly into the blanket.
Moments later, Cathleen’s phone vibrated again. She cautiously checked if Scarlette was asleep before responding to Iker’s latest message.
“Get some sleep. It’s very late.”
Iker replied, “I find it hard to sleep without you by my side.”
A flush of warmth spread across Cathleen’s cheeks, her own longing stirred. “How can I come to you now?”
“Step outside, my love,” Iker responded.
Shortly thereafter, a gentle knock sounded.
With her heart pounding, Cathleen carefully rose from the bed.
Cathleen glanced back to ensure Scarlette was still sleeping. However, Scarlette opened her eyes and asked innocently, “Cathleen, where are you off to?”
Cathleen paused, uncertain.
At that moment, another knock echoed softly.
Cathleen whispered to Scarlette, “Iker mentioned he needs to see me urgently. You can go back to sleep.”
“Will you be back tonight?”
“Absolutely.”
“I’ll wait up for you then.”
After reassuring Scarlette, Cathleen quickly turned her attention to address Iker, whom she affectionately called the “big softie.”
Opening the door, Iker wasted no time in enveloping Cathleen in a warm embrace and planting a kiss on her.
Taken aback, Cathleen quickly closed the door behind her. “You’re quite bold! What if your parents catch us?”
“They’re asleep,” Iker reassured her softly, his voice low. “I want you, my love.”
Just as Cathleen was about to scold him, a voice startled them from the darkness. “Iker, what are you up to?”
Cathleen gasped, her heart racing.
Iker tightened his hold, turning to see Kenji in the doorway, his figure barely visible in the dim light.
While Iker was accustomed to Kenji’s pranks, Kenji’s startling of Cathleen was not something Iker appreciated tonight.
Iker responded sternly, “Mind your own business, Kenji. Go back to bed.”
Kenji, restless and not in the mood to sleep, was not ready to leave them be. He crossed his arms and shook his head, saying, “I might just tell our mom about your midnight date.”
Cathleen, mortified, hid her face in Iker’s chest, too embarrassed to look at Kenji.
With a serious tone, Iker said, “We’re married. There’s nothing secretive about our relationship.”
“Then why the secrecy?”
“What secrecy?”
“If it’s all above board, why not show your affection openly, even in front of our parents?”
Stepping back, Iker said to Cathleen, “Head inside, my love. I’ll handle this.”
Cathleen turned around, only to be startled again.
Iker and Kenji turned to see Scarlette burst out of the room, her face lit up with a mischievous grin.
“What’s going on here? Mind if I join in?” Scarlette chimed in.
Iker found himself at a loss for words.
With a gleam of mischief, Kenji cleared his throat and made a playful suggestion. “Here’s an idea, Iker. You sleep with Cathleen, and I’ll sleep with Scarlette. If we all head down together in the morning, it’ll throw our parents off the scent.”
Iker gave Kenji a cold look. He was well aware of Kenji’s intentions.
Earlier, Kenji had disrupted Iker’s intimate moment, and now he was plotting to cozy up with Scarlette for himself. Iker wasn’t going to let that happen.
“Too much trouble,” Iker dismissed the idea curtly, grabbing Kenji by the collar. “Things stay as they are. You’re bunking with me tonight.”
Kenji found himself at a loss for words.
It had been over ten years since Kenji and Iker last shared a bed.
Iker lay there, seemingly serene, his eyes shut.
Kenji, however, seemed to have caught some of Scarlette’s restlessness, as he fidgeted and flipped from side to side.
All the while, Iker kept his composure, unmoving and stoic.
Eventually, Kenji broke the silence, saying, “Iker, are you actually able to sleep?”
Without opening his eyes, Iker responded, “Feel free to sleep on the floor if it suits you better.”
Aware that Iker wasn’t sleeping, Kenji propped himself up and initiated a conversation. “You and Cathleen, childhood sweethearts, tied the knot right after college. Isn’t it exhausting, not being able to spend even one night away from her after all these years?”
A flicker of annoyance crossed Iker’s face. “Why the sudden interest in my marriage?”
Undeterred, Kenji asked, “Ever tried sucking Cathleen’s…” Iker was taken aback, his eyes wide open in disbelief. “What did you just say?”
“You heard me,” Kenji answered.
Visibly frustrated, Iker responded, “Kenji, there are limits to what you can ask me, even as my brother.”