“I don’t know if you could ever find it in your heart to forgive me but..” His voice was low, his dark irises piercing through you from behind his mask. It was as if the walls had begun to cave in, your cold palm gently pressing against the back of his hand as he rested his hand on your cheek.

The walls were lined by a crimson red tint, lit by several candlestick holders adorned on the dark colored partitions of the gothic-styled chamber. A set of velvet curtains were draped around the elegantly crafted stained glass windows, the curtains tied back with gold-threaded tassels. While his voice punctured your eardrums, the gold-threaded tassels continued to subtly sway. It was as if it were an hourglass, counting down the seconds of this forbidden encounter. He was ending this one night tryst committed between you two. After all, his spouse was waiting for him to return home.

“..I don’t want to see you ever again.” His palm left your check, the lack of touch brewing a complex amount of emotions within you. How could he?