When David returned, he was still reeking of alcohol.

He shoved open the master bedroom door with force and slammed it shut, making the whole room vibrate.

I hadn't turned on the lights. Impatient as always, he frowned and roughly fumbled around the nightstand, knocking the table lamp onto the floor where it shattered.

Not finding what he wanted, his voice grew more irritated: "Where's the rope?"

I let out a sigh and tried to reason with him: "It's late, mom and dad are sleeping. Could you keep it down?"

David let out a mocking laugh: "It's Saturday night. How could they sleep without hearing some noise?"

I fell silent.

This was the compromise David had made with the family.

Every Saturday night, he had to come home and spend the night with me. The rest of the time, where he went and who he was with - neither the family nor I could question it.

This had been our life for three years now.

The media used to joke about me, saying that despite living in modern times, Mrs. Rong seemed to be living like an ancient palace consort.

I was like a noble but unfavored primary wife - my husband couldn't get rid of me and had to spend designated nights with me, but everyone knew his true affection lay elsewhere.

"I asked you, where's the rope?" David's patience was clearly running out. "Stop stalling."

In the moonlight streaming through the window, I stared at him steadily.

At thirty, David was still tall and handsome, somehow still carrying traces of that rebellious, sunny youth I remembered.

Yet five years had transformed him into a different person.

He no longer knew me.

He had fallen in love with someone else.

While the past twenty-five years remained the most beautiful time of my life, to him it seemed like someone else's story.

He had forgotten it all, as if it had nothing to do with him.

"Eva!"

His low growl was both urging and warning.

I held out the rope that had been used for three years, pulled from the drawer, responding with a simple "Mm."

David snatched it impatiently, ready to tie my hands.

"Wait a second."

"What now?" he frowned.

I reached back into the drawer, taking out a piece of cotton cloth, and slowly pushed it into my mouth.

Then I presented my wrists together, extending them towards him.

David's expression softened slightly. He quickly bound my hands and shoved me onto the bed, securing the rope tightly to the bedpost.

After completing this, he put on his blindfold before lowering himself down.

This ritual had become second nature to both of us.

During intimate moments, he couldn't stand the sight of my face or the sound of my voice, let alone my embrace.

That's why the cotton cloth gagged my mouth and the rope bound my hands - forcing me to become like a mute invalid, or rather, just a piece of living flesh.

When it was over, he withdrew quickly.

In the darkness, he lit a cigarette, standing silently by the window.

"You know Eva, every Saturday I feel like some breeding animal. It makes me sick."

The cotton cloth still gagged me, preventing any response.

He took a deep breath, his voice heavy with exhaustion: "Everyone says we were once in love. You said you loved me too. Why can't you just let me go?"

"..."

Perhaps noticing my inability to answer, David finally realized the issue after a while.

He came over and yanked the cotton cloth from my mouth, tossing it aside.

My mouth ached from being stretched by the cloth. His rough removal made my lips feel torn and burning with pain.

After waiting for the pain to subside slightly, I spoke softly: "Please untie the rope too, my wrists hurt."

David stood there looking down at me for a moment, motionless.

I chuckled lightly, "So you plan to keep me tied up forever if I don't let you go?"

David's eyes flashed with disgust. "By tomorrow morning at the latest, my parents or the housekeepers will find you and untie you. You won't be bound forever."

"David, my wrists really hurt. They're killing me."

"..."

He remained silent, just letting out a cold sneer as he turned away to smoke.

Deep down, I knew my whining and acting cute had zero effect on him.

Back then, David used to be such a wonderful person.

When we were still in school, if he saw a dog tied up on the street crying out in pain from the rope, he'd rush over without hesitation to untie it. He'd even go buy a soft harness from the nearby pet shop to give to the owner.

But now with me, it's different.

To him now, I'm worth less than a dog.

"If you untie me, I'll let you go," I said.

David's eyes flickered with doubt. "Really?"

I nodded. "Really."

He sneered, "I don't believe you."

"That's up to you. If you don't trust me, I can't help it. We can stay in this deadlock, like you said - someone will come untie me by morning anyway. But you might miss your only chance."

David sat on the bed, lighting another cigarette. "Let's be direct, Eva. You want a child - we can do IVF."

"You really can't stand touching me that much?"

"What do you think?"

This time, I was the one left speechless.

Right. I already knew the answer, so why even ask?

"David, I'm serious. If you untie me now, you won't have to come back on Saturdays anymore to sleep with me."

David still looked skeptical, studying me to judge how trustworthy my words were.

I added, "The worst case is things stay the same. Why not give it a try? Maybe I'll keep my word?"

David finally untied the ropes.

My wrists were a mess of old and new wounds, raw and bleeding from the constant friction.

He tossed the ropes aside and turned his back to me. "There, they're off. Will you keep your word?"

"Nope."

"Eva!" He spun around, his eyes blazing with fury that cut right through me. "I knew it!"

I let out a soft laugh. "Just kidding. Why so serious?"

"You're crazy," he spat, angrily gathering his clothes from the floor.

That stung like a needle to my heart.

"Yeah, I'm crazy - crazy with a cold. Don't forget to grab some medicine when you leave, wouldn't want you catching it."

"Save your fake concern. I don't need it."

"Fine, don't care about yourself. But what about giving it to Deb?"

"..."

"Isn't she preparing for her grad school exams? Would be a shame if a cold messed up her performance."

David's face darkened instantly. "Eva, mind your own business."

"Relax, I'm not low enough to sabotage her education."

"That remains to be seen."