To him, it seemed like Alexis hadn't truly considered their relationship at all. She appeared like a puppet, being with him solely for the sake of having a child, without any real consideration for their future together.

This thought pained him deeply, but he kept it to himself.

He wanted to ask her about her feelings towards Calvin, but his pride held him back from repeating the question. Instead, he wrestled with a mix of love and resentment for Alexis, desiring to possess her yet feeling uncomfortable with the situation.

As the night wore on, Alexis eventually fell asleep in the wee hours.

Leonel quietly got up and stepped into the hallway for a cigarette, a futile attempt to quell his inner conflict.

Alexis was his only source of solace, and he longed for her to show any emotion towards him-laughter, anger, even a slap-anything but this cold detachment.

After extinguishing the cigarette, Leonel returned to the bed, his mood slightly colder.

Lying behind Alexis, he tenderly wrapped his arms around her slender frame, his hands softly stroking her waist. His actions conveyed a deep, unspoken desire for intimacy and connection.

Alexis could feel the heat emanating from Leonel's body behind her.

His hand on her waist was a sensation she couldn't ignore. They had both been abstinent for three years, and their recent encounters were far from enough to quell their desires.

However, Alexis wasn't ready for more.

When Leonel's hand wandered to her back, she found herself whispering, “Didn't you have a vasectomy?"

“Does a vasectomy mean I can't be close to you?

Are you still thinking about Calvin?"

Leonel's words were soft as he kissed her neck, his breath warm against her skin.

But then, he withdrew his hand, seemingly losing interest.

Alexis lay still, trying to ignore his presence. After a couple of minutes, Leonel quietly rolled over, putting their sleeping daughter, Evelyn, between them.

Alexis expected the night to continue in silence. But as she closed her eyes, she felt the intensity of Leonel's gaze. When she opened her eyes, she met his piercing stare.

He looked at her as if trying to see through her, and then abruptly got out of bed.

The sound of running water came from the bathroom, leaving Alexis to wonder what he might be doing.