Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
But Kenji didn’t back down. “Just be honest. Do you enjoy it?”
Choosing to deflect, Iker redirected the conversation. “And what about you and Scarlette? Have things gone that far?”
Kenji lay back, his gaze fixed on the ceiling. “How could I engage in such an act?”
With a light chuckle, Iker teased, “Not only have you tried it, but I suspect you rather like it. Despite your reservations, you seem unable to resist, and now you seek my counsel.”
Kenji laughed and responded, “You’d make a better novelist than a lawyer, with that imagination of yours.”
Iker replied mercilessly, “Unfortunately, you won’t find the absolution you’re looking for here. I cherish every aspect of my relationship with my wife.”
Kenji found no words to respond.
Iker added thoughtfully, “Just as you cherish Scarlette.”
Kenji never denied his attraction to Scarlette. She was stunning-impossible to ignore. But their relationship was still new, untested. He couldn’t say for sure if the spark between them would last forever.
“You’re overthinking it,” Iker said, watching Kenji closely. “Doubts are normal. But if you’re planning to marry, you need to stay faithful. No excuses.”
Kenji let out a dry laugh. “Why does it matter? This isn’t some love story-it’s just a marriage alliance.”
“That doesn’t change the rules,” Iker replied firmly. “Our family doesn’t accept infidelity.”
Kenji sighed. “Both you and our dad married the women you loved. Scarlette and I don’t have that choice. Why should we pretend?”
Iker frowned. “Does Scarlette know you feel this way?”
“Of course,” Kenji said with a smirk. “And trust me, she’s no saint. She might cheat before I do.”
Iker paused, something clicking in his mind. “Are you sure you’re not misreading things? What if Scarlette doesn’t even like you?”
Kenji shook his head. “She’s obsessed with me.”
“You sure about that?”
“You don’t see how she acts when we’re alone-” Kenji stopped himself, realizing he was saying too much.
Iker turned away, his voice cool and dismissive. “Just sleep, Kenji. I’m done with this conversation.”
Kenji patted Iker’s shoulder, his tone casual but curious. “Scarlette kept talking to you tonight. What was that about?”
Iker didn’t hesitate. “She said she’s afraid of marriage. You’re overwhelming her, and it’s making her anxious. She even asked me what kind of women you dislike-so she could act like that.”
Kenji stared at him, speechless.
Despite being adults, Kenji, Iker, Scarlette, and Cathleen reverted to their old ways in the Reed family’s villa, letting Kenji and Iker’s parents take the lead in everything.
At night, they slept separately. During the day, they were swept up in an endless cycle of social visits, exchanging gifts, and catching up with relatives and old friends.
After a few days of this, Kenji, growing frustrated, suggested to Scarlette that they escape to a hotel for some much-needed alone time. But Scarlette shook her head. “I’m really exhausted from all the hustle these past few days. Let’s wait until we’re back in Warrington.”
Lately, Iker had been spending most of his time with Ellis, while Cathleen often took Scarlette out for fun. Kenji, having explored every inch of Banta with no new discoveries, decided not to follow them. With his sister Sylvia away with friends, Kenji found himself stuck at home with little to do. And his desire for Scarlette was only growing stronger.
One day, Scarlette, standing in front of the mirror, carefully applied some lipstick. She turned to Kenji, a small smile on her lips. “Do you think this lipstick looks good on me?” she asked, her eyes meeting his.
Kenji gazed at her for a moment, his eyes lingering. Taking advantage of the brief moment of privacy, he pulled her close and kissed her.
As their lips met, the taste of her lipstick mixed with his saliva. He pulled back slightly, a teasing smile on his face. “You taste best when your lips are bare.”
Scarlette frowned, wiping the corners of her mouth. “Look at the mess you’ve made.”
Kenji noticed she’d changed into fresh clothes and, feeling the urge to spend time with her, asked, “Where are we going today? I’ll take you anywhere.”
She shook her head. “I’m meeting some classmates for dinner. You don’t know them, so it wouldn’t be appropriate for you to join.”
Kenji raised an eyebrow. “What about Cathleen?”
“She’s visiting her parents today.”
Not wanting to push too hard after Scarlette had already declined, Kenji shrugged it off. “I’ll pick you up after dinner, then. I’ve been having these vivid dreams lately.”
Scarlette glanced at him, curious. “Was I in them?”
Kenji smirked. “There were three of you. You all kept me so busy that my back almost gave out.”
Scarlette rolled her eyes but couldn’t contain the laugh that escaped her. “You’re a pervert.”
Still, the thought of having sex with him after her evening’s activities left her exhausted. She was drained from all the social events and didn’t feel like doing it. Plus, it would be late after dinner, and she wasn’t sure she could handle his demands. “No, I don’t want it,” she said firmly.
Kenji’s patience wore thin. “Should I just find someone else, then?”
Scarlette’s eyes widened in shock. “You’ve got to be kidding me. I say no, and you’re just going to find someone else?”
Kenji hadn’t meant it as a serious threat, but on second thought-why not? He shrugged nonchalantly. “You could always find someone else, too. I wouldn’t care.”
Scarlette stared at him in disbelief, unsure if she’d heard correctly.
The blank look on her face made Kenji’s heart sink. It was the last thing he expected. “What’s wrong?” he asked, trying to make sense of her expression.
Scarlette’s voice dripped with disdain. “Kenji, you’re disgusting.”
That stung more than Kenji expected. He shot back, his tone defensive, “I asked you to marry me, and you turned me down. Don’t you think you’ve lost any right to judge me?”
Scarlette opened her mouth, but the words wouldn’t come. She struggled to define what they even were, and her frustration bubbled over. “If you dare find someone else, we won’t even be friends anymore.”
Seeing her anger, Kenji hesitated. He didn’t want things to spiral out of control. He stepped closer and pulled her into his arms, trying to soothe her. “Alright, alright. I won’t find anyone else. It’ll just be you, okay? What time are you meeting your friends? I’ll take you there.”
But Scarlette could feel the emptiness in his tone. His words were as hollow as his actions. She pushed him away, disgust evident on her face. She muttered, “Hypocrite. You don’t fool me. I don’t need you to take me anywhere. After dinner, I’m going back to Warrington. Just tell your parents, will you?”
Kenji’s frustration grew as he saw how far she was pushing him. His expression turned cold. He pulled out his phone and began typing, his fingers moving swiftly.
Scarlette noticed his actions and sneered. “Go ahead, buy me all the gifts in the world. It won’t change anything.”
Kenji glanced at her, his voice indifferent. “Gifts? Who said anything about gifts? You’re heading to Warrington, right? I’m booking you the earliest flight tonight.”
Kenji had not only bought a plane ticket for Scarlette, but he also offered to pack her bags.
Scarlette was boiling with rage. Closely trailing him, she said, “Cancel the plane ticket. I don’t want it. And don’t bother packing my bags. I’ll handle it myself!”
Without a word, Kenji moved aside to let her through.
Marching into the bedroom, Scarlette observed that even though her time there had been short, Kenji had filled both the bedroom and the living room with various items.
She meticulously packed only the belongings she had initially brought. From behind her, Kenji watched with his arms crossed.
Despite her care to take only her possessions, Kenji couldn’t help but comment, “You’re using my toothbrush. Remember, you lost yours when you arrived and just took mine.”
In a swift motion, Scarlette shoved the toothbrush into his mouth. “Now it’s returned. Satisfied?”
The toothbrush caught Kenji off-guard, nearly causing him to gag. As he recovered, he teased, “Looks like your discomfort wasn’t just an act when you gave me a blowjob.”
Heat rose in Scarlette’s cheeks, and she retorted, “Why must you bring up that stuff at a moment like this?” With a shrug, Kenji replied, “Just reflecting. I realized I wasn’t gentle enough. I’ll be more careful next time.”
Biting back her frustration, Scarlette retorted, “Expecting a next time? Don’t even dream of getting close to me again.”
“Who said anything about wanting to get close?”
Frustrated, Scarlette grabbed a plush toy and swung it at his face, shouting, “Leave me alone!”
Kenji stood his ground, taking the hit without flinching. The plush toy made little impact. Her throws lacked force. A vivid memory surged in his mind. “This doesn’t match the intensity of our rougher games.”
Too angry to respond, Scarlette silently continued her packing. She swiftly filled her suitcase with the few clothes she had.
Kenji picked up the car keys and moved toward her, saying, “There’s no time to waste. I’ll drive you to the restaurant.”
Scarlette stood firm, refusing the need for a ride.
However, Kenji wasn’t taking no for an answer. He quickly ushered her into the car and secured her seatbelt.
As Scarlette lashed out with a kick, he cautioned, already aroused, “Keep still, or I might end up doing something impulsive.”
Scarlette hesitated, casting a glance at his trousers.
As they arrived at the restaurant, Scarlette’s expression remained stern. Leaning in, Kenji checked on her mood. “Are you still upset?”
With a huff, Scarlette unbuckled her seatbelt, ready to exit.
Grasping her hand, Kenji kissed her. “I didn’t buy the ticket. We’ll return together in a few days, okay?”
“In your dreams!” Scarlette averted her face, dodging his advances. “Who said you could kiss me? Leave me alone.”
Seizing the moment, Kenji deepened the kiss.
Their lips hadn’t met like this in days, and Kenji found it intoxicating. He released her only when she needed to catch her breath, lingering on the taste. “You were right back home. I got you about ten presents. We’ll open them when we return. Have a quick dinner, and I’ll wait upstairs. I’ll come down in an hour to take you to the hotel.”
Flushed and glaring, Scarlette’s annoyance melded with a hint of desire, morphing into a teasing scowl. “It might take me a hundred hours to finish the dinner, just to annoy you.”
Kenji, wanting intimacy, disregarded his dignity and whispered a rude suggestion.
Scarlette’s face turned red. “You’re utterly shameless.”
Kenji’s laughter followed. Though he sensed her cooling down, forgiveness was still out of reach. “Let’s make a bet. If I win, you drop the grudge.”