"What, can't stand even a single day without him? Mrs. Douglas, it's been a day since we married, and I've yet to see you smile. But with Calvin, you're so visibly affected. Do you remember you're now married to me?"

Interrupting him, Alexis retorted, "Did you marry me just to make sarcastic remarks? Leonel, yes, I do want a child, and I kept that from you. If it's unbearable for you, there are other ways. You wanted this marriage—"

“But I never asked you to keep seeing Calvin," Leonel cut in sharply.

"Alexis, what if I insist that you stop seeing him? I really can't stand his presence in our lives."

Alexis wanted to protest, to say she couldn't agree to that, but she didn't want to escalate the situation.

She simply said, “I'll make sure to come home early in the future,” before pushing past him and heading into the villa.

Leonel remained outside, slowly lighting another cigarette, lost in thought.

Inside, Alexis entered the dining room.

The table was laid with many dishes, most of which were her favorites, barely touched.

Was Leonel waiting for her?

A wave of mixed emotions washed over her as she sat down, her eyes lingering on the cold dishes.

There was also a velvet box and a silver candlestick on the table—the setup for a candlelight dinner, likely to celebrate their recent marriage.

Yes, today was the day they had gotten married.

Leonel's footsteps approached from behind. He came in, tossing his coat over a chair back before sitting opposite Alexis.

It was then that she noticed he was still wearing the same clothes from the morning, including the particularly elegant lapel pin. She rarely saw him dressed so formally- "If you wanted dinner with me, you could've called," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Would you have come home if I had called?" Leonel asked, his eyes downcast.

Alexis watched as he put away the velvet box, seemingly deciding not to give it to her.

She didn't inquire about it and began to eat in silence.

After she took a bite, Leonel abruptly took the plate away, his tone harsh. "They're cold. What if you have a stomach later?"

Alexis remained quiet, the tension between them palpable.