Leonel sat in the car, engrossed in company matters on his phone.

Spotting her approach, he swiftly exited the vehicle and courteously opened the passenger door for her.

Once seated, Leonel secured her seatbelt and casually asked, “Did you get a glimpse of the baby? Is everything alright?"

“Yes, everything's fine. The baby appears to be strong and healthy. They've named him Bernard."

Their conversation flowed calmly and smoothly until Leonel's hand halted, his demeanor freezing in place.

Alexis cast her gaze downward.

An awkward silence enveloped the car. Leonel's gaze fixated on the damp spot on her top, his voice quivering. “Would you like some tissues?"

Retrieving a handful of tissues, he neatly folded them before passing them to Alexis.

“Do you need my help?"

Although they had been married for many years, addressing such intimate matters still elicited a hint of discomfort. Alexis averted her gaze, softly declining, “No, I'm fine, thank you."

While she adjusted her attire, Leonel observed her slender back quivering ever so slightly.

Unable to resist, he enveloped her in a hug from behind.

Slipping his arms around her, he whispered huskily, "Allow me to help you."

Confined by the narrow space of the car, Alexis found herself unable to move away.

Leonel's gestures were deliberate and alluring. In another circumstance, an ordinary couple might progress to kissing and seeking solace in each other's embrace. But theirs was a different dynamic. Even if Leonel was stirred, Alexis remained unaffected.

Eventually, Leonel tenderly let her go, locking eyes with her.

No words were exchanged, yet a mutual understanding dawned upon them.

Both were overwhelmed by feelings of sadness and helplessness.

In the days that followed, Leonel continued to show kindness to Alexis. Due to her lack of resistance when he sought embraces at night, Leonel began to harbor hope that their relationship could be salvaged.

However, Alexis still appeared indifferent toward intimacy.