In another vi, Susan had moved into Marcos''s home the day she left Hayden.


    She couldn''t tell if it was her imagination, but she felt Marcos wasn''t treating her as well as he had before. Perhaps it was because he was busy preparing for theunch of his new perfume, which had undoubtedly exhausted him.


    Susan didn''t dwell on it too much. She knew Marcos''s heart well. He had loved her for so many years, and now that they were finally together, how could he give her up?


    He would surely treat her the way Julian treated Aurora. Susan resolved to turn over a new leaf, determined to be the perfect wife for him.


    She downloaded countless recipes online, even asking the housekeeper about Marcos''s preferences. But despite her efforts, he rarely came home for dinner.


    "He must just be too busy," Susan told herself. "Once things settle down, he''lle home every day."


    In truth, Marcos often stayedte at the office, sitting at his desk in a daze.


    "Mr. Giron, it''s well past office hours. Why are you still here?" his secretary asked him repeatedly.


    "I''ll stay a little longer. You can leave."


    "Yes, sir."


    Earlier, Susan had called him, saying she was waiting for him at home. Home? The word felt strange when it came to Susan.


    As a boy, Marcos had adored the sweet, quiet girl next door. He had dreamed of marrying her someday and building a life together.


    But before he could confess his feelings, she told him she liked someone else. During his college years and early career, Marcos didn''t pursue any rtionships.


    Whether it was because of his lingering feelings for Susan or simply not meeting the right person, he remained alone. When he returned, things got blurry, and he ended up having a physical rtionship with her.


    It felt like finally tasting something he had long craved, only to realize he wasn''t ready for it.


    The Giron family opposed their rtionship, and Marcos began to question himself. Did he truly love Susan?


    The fondness he once felt seemed to have long faded, carried away by time. He had approached her with the care of an older brother, only to lose control that fateful night.


    Marcos spent the following days examining his feelings. If he truly loved her, he would have brought her into the Giron family despite everyone''s objections. But the truth was, he didn''t.


    If he didn''t love her, he shouldn''t have entangled her in the first ce. But now that he had, how could he walk away?


    Marcos wanted to tell Susan the truth, but every time he came home and saw the hope in her eyes, he faltered.


    "Marcos, I learned a few new recipes. Would you like me to heat something up for you?"


    Or she would prepare his bath. "Marcos, you''ve worked hard. I''ve drawn the water-go and rest."


    Sometimes, she would wear a provocative nightgown and ask to sleep beside him, but Marcos always refused. The memory of that night filled him with regret. Since then, they had been sleeping in separate rooms.


    He used theirck of marriage as an excuse, saying he wanted to wait until they were married to do what was proper.


    But deep down, he knew he was avoiding her. His heart was tied in knots. He hade to terms with the fact that he didn''t love Susan.


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    He wanted to tell her the truth, but considering she had just divorced Hayden and the gossip had barely died down, he couldn''t bring himself to hurt her further.


    "I''ll wait until she''s in a better ce emotionally," Marcos thought.


    To avoid confrontation, he starteding homete every night.


    No matter howte it was, Susan was always waiting for him. Each time he saw her, sitting there patiently, his guilt grew deeper.


    "Marcos, you''re back! Have you eaten? Let me warm something up for you."


    The former actress, once idolized by countless fans, had humbled herself to cook and clean for him.


    Her devotion was rare and moving, but when Marcos looked at her, aplicated feeling arose in his heart. It wasn''t love-he knew that much. It was pity.


    "No need. I already ate. It''ste-go to bed. The weather''s cold; don''t catch a chill," Marcos said, turning to leave.


    Suddenly, Susan hugged him from behind.


    "Marcos, I feel like you''ve grown distant. Have I done something wrong? Tell me, and


    I''ll change. I have nothing left but you."


    Her words made Marcos ufortable. He didn''t want things to be this way.


    "Don''t overthink it. I''ve just been busytely. It''ll get better soon."


    But Susan wasn''t convinced. She stood on her tiptoes, wrapping her arms around his neck.


    "Then why won''t you hold me, Marcos?"


    His body stiffened, as if she were forcing him into something he didn''t want.


    "I told you, you''re a good woman. That night was a mistake. I hope..." Marcos began


    to exin, but Susan silenced him with her lips.


    "There''s no difference between once and a hundred times. If it were my first time, I might understand. But I''m no longer innocent. And that night, weren''t you happy too? Marcos, are you disgusted by me?"


    Susan didn''t know why, but even though she was living in Marcos''s house, she couldn''t shake the unease in her heart.


    She felt as if their rtionship was destined to fail. She had already endured the heartbreak of Hayden. She couldn''t bear to go through that again.


    "It must be my fault," she thought. "I need to work harder, to make Marcos unable to live without me."


    The next morning, as Marcos was preparing to leave for work, he found Susan already dressed and waiting in the living room.


    "Are you going out today?" he asked.


    "No. Tomorrow is Christmas, and with the perfumeunching up, you must be swamped. I want to go to your office and help."


    "What?" Marcos was taken aback.