Magnus dropped onto the bed, leaning back against the headboard. His shirt was still half-open, fabric creased where he hadn’t bothered to finish buttoning it. One arm went behind his head as he stared blankly at the ceiling, jaw locked so tight it ached.
“Let me ask you something,” he said, his tone deliberately casual, though something restless edged beneath it. “I know someone who’s… losing his mind.”
Gregory hummed lazily on the other end, clearly amused.
“That man,” Magnus continued, eyes fixed on the ceiling, voice lowering, “has always been indifferent to women. Never felt anything. Never wanted anything.”
He paused.
Then added, more quietly, almost reluctantly,
“But suddenly, he feels this constant urge to sleep with one particular woman. All the time.”
Another pause.
“Is that normal?”
There was silence for half a second.
Then Gregory burst out laughing.
The sound crackled through the phone, loud and unrestrained. Magnus’s brows knit instantly, irritation flashing across his face.
Before he could respond, Gregory spoke between breaths, barely holding it together.
“First—let me guess,” he said, laughter spilling into his words. “This mysterious man you’re talking about… that’s you, isn’t it? And the woman is your wife?”
Magnus sat up sharply.
The mattress dipped beneath the sudden movement. Fury flashed in his eyes as his spine straightened, every muscle going taut.
“Did I say it was me?” he snapped. “How the hell could I fall for a cunning woman like her?” His grip tightened around the phone. “I said it’ssomeone I know. Don’t twist my words. Are you deaf?”
Gregory struggled to suppress his laughter.
“All right, all right,” he said, voice still thick with amusement. “Relax. Let me answer seriously.”
Magnus leaned forward slightly, forearms braced against his thighs, jaw clenched so hard it ached. He didn’t say a word.
“It’s normal,” Gregory said at last, his tone calmer now. “For someone who’s in love. Or at least someone who likes the other person.”
“He doesn’t like her,” Magnus cut in sharply, the words coming out flat and immediate.
There was a brief pause.
“Fine,” Gregory replied smoothly. “Then my advice to your friend is simple.” His voice lowered. “Tell him to hide those feelings. Bury them. Bury the desire. And then wait.”
Magnus frowned, a crease forming between his brows.
“Wait for what?” Magnus asked.
“For the day someone else feels the same way about his wife,” Gregory said lightly. “And takes her away.”
The line went quiet.
Magnus’s expression darkened.
“Youfuckingasshole.”
