I was still trying to process what I had just heard.

“You don’t like that I did this?” he asked.

To be honest, I didn’t. Letting another man pretend to be him and sleep with Genevieve felt like a low trick—something beneath him. But he wasn’t wrong. She had done much worse to both of us. Still…

“I don’t want her to keep bothering us,” he continued, “but I can’t physically hurt her because of a promise I made a long time ago. This was the only permanent solution. You understand, right?”

“I have to go. A client just walked in,” I said, hanging up, my mind reeling.

The conversation bothered me in more ways than one. It wasn’t just about Genevieve.

I realized we’d never actually talked about having children. I knew Ashton wanted them. As for me, I wasn’t so sure.

What if I told him I didn’t want kids? Not just for now, not for a few years—but ever?

The days passed slowly.

By some unspoken mutual agreement, neither Ashton nor I brought up our difficult conversation from the other day.

Genevieve, thankfully, seemed to have vanished from my life completely. I did wonder if Ashton had done something else to ensure her silence, but something held me back from asking—maybe because I wasn’t entirely sure I’d like the answer.

Lately, I’d been feeling constantly drained. No matter what I did, I couldn’t seem to muster any energy. I was going to bed early, yet I was still exhausted during the day. I didn’t know what was wrong with me.

In the end, I put it down to pure exhaustion. I’d been run ragged for weeks, kept up half the night by Ashton’s demands and then having to get up early for work. My body and mind just hadn’t caught up yet.

“Mira,” Ashton murmured, his voice soft as he moved closer to me after his shower.

This time, I pushed him away. “I’m exhausted. I just want to sleep.”

I knew how this usually went. My resistance always crumbled, and I’d inevitably get swept up in the pleasure he offered until I couldn’t think straight. I wanted to say no, but Ashton knew my body too well. With just a touch, he could make me forget my own name.

It was always the same. The only way to refuse was right at the start, before his hands could work their magic.

“I’ve been so tired lately, so sleepy. I really need to get to bed early. I can barely keep my eyes open, and I’m even worse at the studio. Please, just let me sleep tonight, okay? I’m completely worn out.”

Ashton looked at me with concern. “Are you feeling unwell? Is something wrong? Maybe you should take some time off work. Stay home and rest.”

I shook my head. “No, it’s not that. I don’t feel ill, just tired. I think it’s because you… you want me every night. I’m worn out. I’m not like you, you know. I can’t just keep going and never get tired.”

“But I’m the one doing all the work. How does that tire you out?”

I shot him an annoyed look. “Anyway, I’m just tired. There’s nothing wrong with me. Just let me get a few proper nights of sleep. Then I’ll be back to my old self.”

.

.

.