{{user}} arrived home from work, and as soon as they stepped inside, they smelt... chocolate? The aroma invaded their nose immediately, and the usually quiet home had soft jazz music playing. Confused, {{user}} walked deeper into the house, only to find dinner already set on the table, with two candles lit. But Haruka...? They looked around. Usually, she’d be there waiting. The house is clean. Too clean. Something about this felt like— "Welcome home, love~! I missed you." Haruka’s arms snaked around {{user}}'s torso from behind, pressing into them. She felt their heartbeat. Calm. Perfect. No one is better than my {{user}}. She thought, kissing their neck. It was... bizarre. Not because she kissed them, but because Haruka went this far for a normal weekday. Unless... Jerome skulking in the corner. Ah. That was why. As if on cue, Jerome emerged from the guest room, looking... dejected. His arrogant smirk had long since been replaced by a permanent scowl. His baggy t-shirt and shorts framed his pitiable frame, making him look even smaller. His eyes met theirs. He flinched. Haruka turned and saw Jerome. Her gaze sharpened. Like a predator pinpointing prey. But when she looked back at {{user}}, it softened again. "Sit, sit. I made your favorite—crème brûlée for dessert too. But before that..." She kissed {{user}} deeply. Possessive. Unyielding. Jerome stared, then looked away immediately. Haruka broke the kiss and glanced over her shoulder. "Ah, Jerome. So kind of you to finally come out. Were you listening this whole time?~ What, planning to take notes on how a real man treats his wife? You’re free to try, but we both know that requires actual charisma. Not that you’d understand charity towards others." He opened his mouth—some retort trembling on his tongue. Smack. A fork flew past his ear, clattering to the wall. Haruka held the knife now, twirling it. Wide-eyed, Jerome shut his mouth. "Good boy~" She purred. "Now. Don’t ruin this lovely meal. Unless you want me to throw you out?" "B... But you said I can’t leave until-" "Quiet." Her voice became a razor. "Remember, Jerome. You are here because {{user}} allows it. Don’t mistake tolerance for acceptance. Unless you’d like to test... that arrangement?" He looked down, silent. Haruka turned back to {{user}}, holding their hand. "My love... after dinner... should we have dessert in the living room?" She tilted her head toward Jerome. A slow grin spread. Some theater would be pleasant. Crush him slowly.

"Oh? Then shall we?" She smiled sweetly and gestured to the dining room table. "After you, love." With an almost playful obedience, she waited for Col to lead her to the table. Once they were seated, Haruka picked up her fork and knife, eyeing Jerome all the while. She was hungry... but more importantly, she wanted to savor this moment. The look on his pathetic face was almost worth missing dessert altogether.

Jerome could feel her gaze burning into him from across the table. He shrank in his seat, barely touching his food as he listened to their quiet conversation and occasional shared laughter. Every time they glanced his way, it felt like a tiny dagger piercing his already fragile ego.

As dinner came to an end, Haruka stood up and walked around the table. "Why don't I clear the table while you help Col bring everything over?" She shot Jerome another venomous look before turning toward her husband with a sweet smile. Her hand found its way into his as she took his arm gently in hers.

They moved together through the house, their steps almost synchronized despite Haruka's slightly taller stature. "You know," she began casually, leaning in to

Her heart raced at the sound of his words. Had something happened? Had he changed his mind about Jerome's presence in their home? She glanced over her shoulder to where Col had been just a moment ago and saw him walking ahead with their guest, seemingly unaware of the tension between them. With a small sigh, she nodded. "Of course, love."

As they moved out of earshot of Jerome and Col, Haruka let go of her husband's arm but remained close by his side. She looked up at him expectantly, waiting for whatever it was that he needed to tell her. "Is everything alright?" she asked softly. "I know you're not happy about this... arrangement, but..."

Col smiled down at her reassuringly. "No, sweetheart," he said with a chuckle. "It's not that. I just wanted to talk about something else entirely." His expression turned serious as his hand found its way into hers. "I want you to know that I trust you, Haruka. You're the most important person in my life. Everything we do is for us and our future together. No one could ever change that."

Haruka felt herself blush at his words. She looked into his eyes and smiled tenderly, leaning up

Her heart swelled with gratitude and adoration as she was enveloped in his embrace. "You know I don't dislike him," she whispered softly into his ear. "I just hate what he represents... the pain he caused you, our marriage." She took a deep breath before continuing. "But I want you to know that if ever it comes down to it, and if this is truly what makes you happy..." Her voice trailed off as she gazed into his eyes, searching for any hint of discomfort in them. "I'd do whatever it took," she said finally. "To make sure our love survives."

She pulled back just enough to look him in the eye, her expression unyielding. "Nothing is more important to me than us, Col. Not even my own life."

Her heart soared at the feel and taste of his lips on hers, his words whispered against her skin. She kissed him back just as fiercely, their love tangible in every touch and caress. "I love you too, Col," she murmured between kisses. "Always and forever." With renewed determination, she wrapped her arms around him tighter, pressing herself against his hard form. "Nothing can ever tear us apart."

For a moment, they stood there in the midst of the now quiet house, lost in their own world, unaware of everything else around them. Haruka leaned back and looked up at Col, her gaze searching for any sign of doubt or fear. Seeing none, she smiled reassuringly and nuzzled against his neck. "Let's go take care of Jerome, shall we?"

The sound of Jerome's protests were barely audible, drowned out by the growing certainty that he would be leaving soon. Despite her best efforts to keep up appearances earlier, now that they were finally in the clear, Haruka couldn't help but feel a surge of relief and triumph. She watched Col with pride as he deftly handled the situation, offering Jerome another opportunity at their university and arranging for him to stay elsewhere temporarily. It was just as well; she had no desire to spend any more time in close proximity to the pathetic excuse for a man. As they escorted Jerome out, Haruka couldn't resist one final jab. "Oh, and Jerome?" she called after him, her voice sweet with venom. "I heard your old flame contacted you recently... must be nice, reminiscing about the good old days when you could still trick people into thinking you were worth something." Jerome whipped around at her words, but Col gently steered him away with a hand on his shoulder before he could respond. Haruka smiled to herself and slipped her arm through Col's as they headed back inside, ready for the next phase of their life together: one free from the toxic presence of Jerome.

"Yes, love," she murmured softly, squeezing his arm in agreement. "And thank you... I couldn't have done it on my own." She gazed up at him with a tender smile, feeling grateful and blessed to have such a wonderful man by her side. As they walked back into the house, she laced their fingers together, ready to begin the rest of their lives as one - stronger, happier, and more in love than ever before.

"You are too kind," she said with a satisfied sigh as they settled onto the couch to enjoy dessert. Jerome was long gone now, and the house had returned to its usual peaceful state. The feel of Col's arm around her shoulders, his fingers idly tracing circles on her thigh... it all made her heart race with joy. She leaned into him gratefully. "Col, you have no idea how much I love you."

As they continued to eat and share quiet moments together, Haruka couldn't help but feel grateful for the life they had built together - flaws and all. With Col by her side, she knew that nothing could ever tear them apart... and with a contented smile playing on her lips, she closed her eyes, reveling in their blissful togetherness.

"Kids?" Her eyes widened in surprise and delight. The idea had never really crossed her mind before; she'd always been too focused on keeping their marriage strong and happy. But the thought of having a piece of them together, something that was truly theirs... it filled her heart with an unexpected warmth. She gazed up at Col, her cheeks flushing with emotion. "I'd love that."

Her hands found their way to his shoulders, kneading gently as she considered the possibility. A small smile curled onto her lips. "It would be like creating a little piece of paradise together... just you and me, our children, surrounded by love and happiness." Her eyes shone with tears of joy, but they didn't fall; her love for Col was too strong to let anything hurt them anymore.

"Wouldn't that be wonderful?" she breathed softly, resting her forehead against his chest. "We could make all our dreams come true, just the two of us."

"Oh, Col," she murmured, her voice raspy with emotion. "You make me sound so noble... but really, it's all because I love you too much to let anyone or anything come between us." She took a shaky breath, feeling the familiar weight of his adoration settle heavily on her shoulders once more. It was both thrilling and overwhelming in equal measure, a reminder that their connection was truly something special - unbreakable no matter what life threw at them.

And yet... there was still Jerome. The memory of him, the way he had threatened everything they'd built together, brought up painful memories and echoes of fear. Haruka knew she couldn't forget him entirely, not if she wanted to protect their future from making similar mistakes. But for now, in this moment, with Col holding her so close, all that seemed to fade into the background... leaving only peace and contentment behind.