(12 Days Later)
Eva paced around her room, nibbling at her nails, restless.
"It's been twenty days already…" she muttered under her breath."
"Kyel won't push me away anymore—it should be fine now… maybe…"
Gathering her courage, she opened her door silently and crept into the hall, tiptoeing through her own house like a thief in the night. When she reached Kyel's door, her heart thudded.
"Let's sleep together tonight," she whispered to herself, gripping the knob.
She twisted it. Click.
Locked.
Eva frowned and tried again. Still locked. Her eyes widened.
"He… locked the door?"
Inside the room, Kyel leaned back against his chair, smiling knowingly. "I knew you'd try again, princess. But you can't catch me this time."
Back in her own room, Eva slammed the door behind her, frustration boiling over.
"I can't believe he actually locked me out. I'm angry—no, I'm furious!" She threw herself onto the bed, biting her lip.
"Ever since that night I went into his room, he's been avoiding me. He comes home late after I've fallen asleep, and leaves before I can even wake up… It's so hard to even see his face."
"And now… today, when I finally get the chance—he locked the door."
She stopped, her brows furrowing.
"This is all because of that physician."
"If he hadn't told Kyel those things, Kyel wouldn't be treating me like this."
"I need to meet him."
---
(Next Day – At the Physician's Office)
The door burst open with a loud crack as Eva stormed inside.
"You!"
The startled physician nearly dropped his papers. "M-my lady? What's the matter?"
Eva pointed an accusing finger at him. "What's the matter? It's your fault my husband is avoiding me!"
The man blinked, baffled. "What do you mean, my lady?"
"Don't act innocent. You told him not to touch me for thirty days, didn't you? she snapped.
The physician tilted his head. "Thirty days? No, my lady… I only said fifteen."
Eva froze. "…Fifteen?"
"Yes. Fifteen. And I only said that because some husbands tend to ignore the warning. In truth, your health improved after just seven days."
Eva's jaw dropped. "W-what? Seven days…?"
The physician stepped closer, his tone gentler now. "It's been twenty days, my lady. There's no problem anymore—you can share a bed with your husband as you wish."
Eva's lips curled into a smile, her earlier rage softening. "Really?"
He nodded firmly. "Yes."
Eva bowed her head quickly. "Thank you… and sorry for kicking your door and shouting at you."
The physician chuckled nervously. "It's quite alright, my lady… though you are truly fierce."
Outside the clinic, Eva's eyes narrowed dangerously as she whispered under her breath, "Kyel… you dared to lie to me. Tonight, you'll learn what happens when you lie to your wife."
---
(Midnight)
The mansion was quiet, drowned in the stillness of night.
Eva lay awake on her bed, eyes closed but ears sharp.
Then— creak. The front door opened.
Her lips curved into a sly, devilish smile. He's back.
Kyel moved silently, climbing the stairs without a sound. His door clicked shut, then locked.
Eva rose instantly, padding to her own door. She leaned against it, listening. Her eyes darkened.
Again… locking me out.
She whispered to herself, "You locked the door again, Kyel."
Inside, Kyel stared blankly at the ceiling, chest rising and falling. He thought he was safe. Until—
BANG!
The door burst open.
Kyel jolted upright.
Eva stood in the doorway, clad in a thin nightgown, hair falling loose around her shoulders, head bowed—yet her anger was unmistakable.
Kyel's voice faltered. "Eva… what are you doing here? How did you—? I locked—"
Her eyes lifted, burning. "You locked the door, right?"
"…Yes."
She raised her hand. Between her fingers gleamed a key.
"I unlocked it with this."
His eyes widened. "A spare key…?"
"Yes," Eva's tone was edged with mockery. "Do you know how hard I worked to find it?"
She stepped inside, shutting the door firmly. Click. The lock turned again—this time in her control.
Kyel stood from the bed, wary. "Eva, why are you locking the door? Give me the key."
"Oh, you want the key?" Her voice dripped with challenge.
"Yes."
Her smile deepened. "Oh? You want it?"
She slipped the key between her fingers… then slid it slowly down, tucking it into her bra. She tapped the swell of her breast with deliberate mockery.
"Here. Take it."
"Eva…" Kyel's voice broke.
"What's wrong?" she teased, stepping closer as he instinctively stepped back. "You want the key, don't you?"
She pointed at her breast, eyes glinting. "Here it is. Take it—with your own hands."
Kyel's back hit the edge of the bed. He sat down in defeat, face flushed crimson.
Eva bent closer, her breath warm against his ear. Her whisper was a weapon.
"Or… you can strip my gown and take the key."
His entire body stiffened, ears burning red.
Eva stepped back, folding her arms, watching him squirm.
Kyel stammered, "Eva, stop… tempting me. You know we can't—"
"Enough!" she snapped.
Kyel flinched.
"I've had enough of your we can't do this excuses."
"Eva—"
She pressed her palm against his chest, pinning him down lightly. One knee rose onto the bed, her nightgown brushing his waist.
"Do you know where I went today?" Her tone was sharp, cutting.
Kyel's throat tightened. "…Where?"
"I went to the physician."
His eyes flickered in alarm.
"And do you know what he told me?"
"…What?"
Her face leaned in, lips grazing his ear before she suddenly slammed her forehead against his with a thud.
Kyel hissed, clutching his head. "Eva—why did you—?"
She grabbed his collar, her face twisted with anger and pain.
"He told you not to touch me for fifteen days. But you told me it was thirty. Why did you lie to me, Kyel?"
His gaze dropped, unable to meet her eyes. Silence stretched.
"Kyel," her voice trembled with demand.
Finally, he whispered, "I wanted you to recover fully. That's why."
Her expression softened—just slightly. "Oh, honey… I know you worry for me. But you shouldn't have lied."
"I'm sorry," he murmured.
Eva cupped his face gently, eyes glistening. "I love you."
"I love you too."
Her lips hovered above his, warm breath fanning against his mouth. "Then let's sleep together."
Kyel exhaled shakily, nodding. He lay back, opening one arm. "Come here… sleep."
Eva blinked in disbelief. "…What?"
"You said you wanted to sleep together. So—come here."
Her expression hardened. Slowly, she climbed onto the bed—but instead of lying beside him, she straddled his waist boldly.
His breath caught. "Eva—"
She leaned in, lips almost touching his, and whispered, "I want a kiss."
Kyel panicked, quickly covering his mouth with his hand.
Her eyes hardened. "Move your hand."
He shook his head. "No."
"I said—move it."
"…No."
Her patience shattered. "Kyel, move your goddamn hand!"
Stunned by the ferocity in her voice, Kyel's hand lowered on its own.
Without hesitation, Eva pressed her lips to his, kissing him with fierce, unrestrained passion. Heat, longing, and frustration all poured into that one demanding kiss.
But after a moment, her eyes fluttered open. She pulled back slightly, breath uneven, searching his face.
"Why aren't you kissing me back?" she demanded, voice low but trembling.
Kyel's throat went dry, lips trembling. He swallowed hard.
"…Just one kiss," he whispered.
Slowly, deliberately, he lifted his head, closing the gap. His hands cupped her face, trembling as desire and restraint warred within him.
Then he kissed her back—passionate, desperate, and slow—matching every ounce of her fire.
Eva's eyes fluttered shut, surrendering herself to him.
The key pressed between her skin and silk, forgotten—until the moment it would decide everything.