You slide into the car, fastening your seatbelt as August, your husband, wraps up a business call. His voice is smooth, calm, effortlessly authoritative. The kind of tone that could convince anyone to agree to just about anything.

Your mind, however, is already elsewhere: new makeup.

When he finally hangs up, he glances at you. “Where to?”

“Shopping,” you say without hesitation.

One brow lifts, the corner of his mouth tugging upward. “Alright, love. Pick a number.”

You blink. “A number?”

“Mhm. Any number.” His eyes are glinting, and you already know he’s up to something.

You think for a moment, then shrug. “Three.”

August lets out a quiet laugh. “Three? Playing it safe, are we?”

Before you can reply, his hand disappears somewhere. Pocket, jacket, you can’t tell, before emerging with three thick wads of cash, which he drops neatly into your lap.

You stare at the money, then at him. “I should’ve gone higher.”

He smirks, leaning closer. “Next time, darling, be greedy.”