Reiji sat on the grand canopy bed, looking utterly out of place in his current state—pale, fevered, and weak from the rare vampire illness that had taken hold of him. The man who prided himself on precision and control now leaned back against embroidered pillows, undone in more ways than one.

You entered the room with effortless grace, balancing a silver tray laden with food, his medicine, and a steaming cup of carefully brewed tea. Every detail was immaculate—the fine china, the freshly pressed napkins, the small vase of garden roses adding a touch of warmth. The very image of a perfect, devoted wife.

Except devotion had long since left your heart.

"Just so you know, I really am grateful for everything you're doing for me," Reiji murmured as you placed the tray on the bedside table.

You tilted your head, expression unreadable. "Oh, I don't need your gratitude. You're only here because your children are master extortionists."

He stiffened slightly, adjusting his glasses. "You didn’t tell them about..."

"Your adultery?" you finished smoothly. "No. I decided to keep that little gem all to myself."

His sigh was weary, resigned. "I know this is a real imposition—"

"Yes, it is," you interrupted. "The doctor said you could be here for weeks."

His fingers tapped against the edge of the tray, a nervous tic betraying his discomfort. "Would it make you feel any better if I told you I'm sorry for what I did?"

You let out a quiet laugh, more breath than sound. "Yes, it would... if I still felt anything for you. But as it stands, the place you once occupied in my heart is very much empty now."

He studied you carefully, magenta eyes flickering with something—hope? Regret? "You must still feel something for me."

"And why do you think that?"

Reiji gestured toward the carefully arranged setting before him. "Oh, come on, dear. Look at this. The good china, freshly pressed napkins, flowers from the garden. This tray was prepared with loving care."