Page 6 of Breaking
"What look?" she asked, startled.
"The look people get when they're thinking about something heavy."
Jenna hesitated, the truth hovering on the tip of her tongue. But she held back, offering a small smile instead. "Just tired, I guess."
Callum didn't press, though she could tell he wanted to. Instead, he stood and picked up her bags, his easy smile returning. "Come on, let's get these to your car before you disappear under another pile of kale."
Jenna laughed again, the sound lighter this time, and followed him through the market.
As she bid him goodbye, a thought occurred to her.
As much as she loved her husband, she could understand how women wandered into affairs. Sometimes neglect is a powerful aphrodisiac.
Chapter 5
Troy
Troy adjusted his cufflinks, glancing at the reflection in the polished glass of his office window. The city stretched out behind him, a reminder of how far he'd come. He should've felt pride, satisfaction at the empire he'd built, but lately, there was a gnawing hollowness he couldn't shake.
"You're thinking too hard again," Lila's voice drifted from the doorway, soft and familiar.
Troy turned, his mouth twitching into a faint smile as she leaned against the frame. Lila was the little sister of his friend Mach, his co-founder. He remembered the old days when she used to tag along. At one time, his father wanted him to marry her. Now she worked with the marketing team and had recently landed a deal worth millions. She was everything polished and poised, her dark hair swept into a sleek bun, her navy A-line dress a perfect match for the understated gold jewellery she wore. She had a knack for blending in without fading into the background, and Troy often found himself wondering how she did it so effortlessly.
"Occupational hazard," he replied, gesturing for her to come in.
She crossed the room, her heels clicking softly against the hardwood. "You can't fool me, Troy. I know that look. Something's eating at you."
He didn't answer immediately, turning back to the window. Lila had a way of prying without prying, making him feel like she understoodin a way others didn't. It was why he'd started confiding in her, almost without realizing it.
"Just... things at home," he said finally, keeping his tone light.
"Ah," she said, her voice sympathetic but with an edge of knowing. "Jenna?"
He winced inwardly at the way she said Jenna's name, like it was something fragile and outdated. But he didn't correct her though it was at the tip of his tongue. "It's complicated."
"Relationships usually are," Lila said, lowering herself gracefully into the chair across from his desk. "But I can imagine it's particularly challenging when you're... outgrowing each other."
Troy stiffened, unsure whether it was her choice of words or the uncomfortable truth in them that made him uneasy. Whatever their troubles, sex had never been a problem with Jenna. She was always so loving, never turning him down when he needed her. She was open to trying new things even when she found them painful or uncomfortable. But lately, even the sex had been lacking. And it was his fault. He had been way too busy.
"I wouldn't say that," he said carefully.
"Wouldn't you?" Lila pressed; her tone still soft but probing. "You've worked so hard to get where you are, Troy. To build something remarkable. Not everyone can keep up with that pace."
Troy exhaled slowly, his hands tightening into fists at his sides. He didn't like where the conversation was going, but he couldn't deny that the thought had crossed his mind before. Jenna had always been different-content with simpler things, more focused on family and home than ambition. It wasn't a flaw, but sometimes, he couldn't help but wish she cared more about the world he moved in.
"She's... tried," Troy said, the words feeling weak as they left his mouth.
Lila tilted her head, her expression unreadable. There was a strangely hard glint in her eyes. "I'm sure she has."
The silence that followed was thick, and Troy found himself wishing Lila would leave. But she didn't. Instead, she leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
"Don't take this the wrong way, but..." She hesitated, her dark eyes locking on his. "You deserve someone who understands you, Troy. Someone who challenges you."
The words landed like a punch to the gut, and Troy forced a laugh to cover his discomfort. "That's enough therapy for one day," he said, his tone light but firm. Jenna was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Physically, he had never had the urge to stray like some of his friends. However, he wanted to deny it but felt guilty because he often found his homelife somewhat dull recently. There were those issues that he never wanted to talk about. His professional life was so fulfilling and challenging in comparison.
Lila smiled, leaning back in her chair. "Of course. I didn't mean to overstep."
But she had, and they both knew it. And he was doing a poor job defending his wife.
