In a soft voice, she suggested, “Leonel, we don't have to keep struggling like this. It's been three years- Maybe it's time to leave the past behind. We don't need to force ourselves to be together."

Leonel's response was cutting. "Then maybe you could talk to me nicely instead of leading me to bed."

He stood up and leaned in, his slender fingers gently pinching Alexis' chin.

"It's too late for that now, he said, before heading upstairs to change.

He swapped his casual attire for a suit and tie, adding a lapel pin that gave him an air of sophistication.