And for the first time since our marriage began, Ellie and I are speaking not as adversaries but as equals.
“Don’t worry, Ellie. As soon as I get anything,” I say. “I’ll run it by you.”
She nods. Then she clears her throat softly. “I should go.”
The words are simple, but they break whatever fragile moment had settled between us.
I pull back from the desk with a reluctance I don’t bother hiding. Ellie slowly rises from the chair in front of me.
For a beat, neither of us moves.
We just stand there, looking at each other.
Something quiet passes between us—something neither of us names.
Then she lifts her hand in a small wave.
“Bye, Mike.”
“Bye.”
She turns and walks toward the door. I watch her go, the sway of her hair, the calm confidence in her step, the intelligence that seems to radiate from her even when she isn’t trying.
The door closes behind her with a soft click.
I exhale slowly and sink back into my chair.
For a long moment, I just stare at the door she disappeared through.
Then I drag a hand over my face and let out a low breath.
This is ridiculous.
I have a massive crush on my own wife.
Not just attraction—though God knows there’s plenty of that.
Every time she’s near me, my body reacts like it has a mind of its own.
But it’s more than that.
It’s the way she argues with me without fear.
The way her mind works.
The way she analyzes people like she’s peeling them open, layer by layer.
I lean back in my chair, staring at the ceiling.
Yeah.
I’m in serious trouble.
Chapter 11 – Ellie
I never imagined jealousy would feel like humiliation wrapped in heat.
For weeks, I’ve told myself that Mike is nothing to me beyond a captor turned husband—a ruthless man who forced me into a life I never wanted.
