A long moment passed before Nathaniel finally released Vera's lips. He asked, "Is the impression a little deeper now?"
Vera's mind was still fuzzy. Then, to her dismay, she realized that Nathaniel was a thorough and complete jerk!
'He must have suspected something. Because I didn't tell the truth, he was teaching me a lesson!'
'Other women had gentle, considerate husbands. Why was she stuck with one who was scheming, proud, and so unreasonable?'
She sniffled meekly, but Nathaniel didn't press his advantage. Instead, he stood up, letting her off the hook for the time being.
Vera felt it in her bones: he had absolutely zero self-awareness for a supposed kept man. 'What kind of "boy toy" is this fierce? He's clearly a big bad wolf!'
As they left the study, Vera glanced back. 'This place has scarred me,' she thought. 'I need to stay away from here from now on!'
After the study, of course, came the bedroom.
