Elira's voice cut through the tension like a knife. She appeared in the doorway behind Maddox, still wearing his oversized t-shirt. Her hair was tousled from their morning together.
The three of them stood frozen. Maddox could feel the heat radiating from Elira's body behind him. Could smell her shampoo mixing with the coffee scent from the kitchen.
Alina's eyes moved from Maddox to Elira and back again. Her face went through a series of expressions. Shock. Hurt. Something that might have been relief.
"So this is why," Alina said. Her voice was different now. Harder. "This is why you've been so distant. Why you stopped trying."
Maddox didn't answer. What could he say? That he'd given up on their marriage long before they started being together? That they'd been secret lovers living in the same house for weeks now?
"How long?" Alina asked.
"Alina—"
"How long have you been sleeping with her?"
