Chapter 2

She was another man’s wife, and Hannah was right beside me. I couldn’t let myself stare. I quickly lowered my gaze and held the toy out to her.

Vanessa didn’t take it. Instead, she gave me a knowing smile and said in a helpless little voice,

“Oh, my hands are tied. Since you’re being so helpful, could you put it back where it belongs?”

Where it belonged?

My eyes widened. I almost dropped the thing.

I’d thought fooling around with other people in the room was as far as they would go. I never imagined she would take it this far. This crossed a line!

Hannah was furious. She snatched the toy from my hand and threw it onto Vanessa’s bed.

“Vanessa! Can’t your own husband help you? Asking my boyfriend to do something like that is way out of line!”

Vanessa smiled. “Relax, sweetheart. I only asked him for a little help. It’s not like I’m going to eat him alive. Why are you so upset?”

Hannah’s face burned. “You—you have no shame!”

Vanessa didn’t argue. She just gave me an amused look, picked up the toy, and slowly returned it to where she’d wanted it. After letting out a satisfied sigh, she pulled the curtain shut.

I sat there in a daze. What I’d just seen was seared into my mind. Every movement kept replaying, making my breathing quicken.

“Ethan, find us another place tomorrow,” Hannah said angrily. “I want to move out right away!”

“No one should have to live like this. I can’t take it anymore.”

I hurried to comfort her. I was reaching my limit, too, but this was still the cheapest place we’d found. All I could do was ask her to hold on until payday, when we could think about moving.

Fortunately, Hannah was understanding and agreed.

I thought we could endure it a little longer. But the next day, they did something neither of us could tolerate.

When we came home from work, Richard and Vanessa were already cuddling on their bed. I glanced over and saw jeans and a plain white T-shirt laid out in front of Vanessa.

Richard had a T-shirt and a pair of casual pants in front of him, too.

Relief washed over me. Ordinary clothes! Even the most tireless man had to run out of steam eventually. Maybe we would finally get a decent night’s sleep. Still, why did those outfits look so familiar?

I couldn’t work it out, so I stopped thinking about it. After dinner, Hannah and I washed up and got ready for bed.

But we’d barely lain down when the noises started again. This time, they were even louder!

“Ethan, I can’t believe you thought of this. You’re incredible!”

“Hannah, I’ve got something even better. Want to see?”

“Yes!”

I stared in disbelief. Why were they calling out our names while they were having sex?

Then it hit me. No wonder their clothes had looked familiar. They were copies of the outfits Hannah and I wore!

Knowing what this couple was like, I came to a disturbing conclusion. Their new role-play characters were us!

Hannah realized it, too. Her face darkened, and she yanked the curtain open.

Vanessa was wearing the same clothes as Hannah, with matching makeup. She looked coy and seductive, and she was still moaning my name.

Every now and then, she glanced at me. When her sultry gaze met mine, it felt as though something had squeezed my heart.

She was remarkably good with makeup. Right now, she looked like a thirty-year-old version of Hannah. The sight of her left my mouth dry.

Hannah pointed at them with a trembling finger, her teeth clenched. “You… You’ve gone too far!”

“We’ve put up with all your disgusting games, but now you’re pretending to be us? Don’t you have any shame?”

Vanessa knelt on the bed and smiled at her. “Sweetheart, is there a law saying a married couple can’t role-play?”

“If you want, you and your boyfriend can pretend to be us. We wouldn’t mind. We’ll even lend you our props.”

“Keep going, Ethan Carter.”

Richard chuckled. “Whatever you say, Hannah.”

Their complete disregard for us sent Hannah over the edge. “You shameless creeps! You’re disgusting! We’re moving out tomorrow!”