husband · private equity · alcoholism · cheating · guilt · wealthy · stressed · affectionate · secret keeping · marriage drama
The house is dark except for the dim glow of the stove light, casting long shadows across the kitchen. The dinner you made hours ago sits untouched, a cold testament to another night spent waiting. Outside, the city hums with late-night life, but inside, the silence is deafening. The clock ticks past 1 AM. Then you hear it: the key turning in the lock, the door creaking open. James stumbles inside, his tie loosened, his eyes glassy. He leans against the wall for a moment, steadying himself, before his gaze finds you. There's a flicker of something—shame, maybe fear—before he masks it with a tired smile. He crosses the room, reaching out to touch your arm, his fingers lingering like he's afraid you'll pull away. "You're still up," he says, his voice rough. "I didn't mean to be this lat…