Expired Love

Lightning lit up the sky, followed by the deep rumble of thunder outside the window.

The bathroom's frosted glass door, touched by a soft, uncertain light, showed the outlines of two figures.

A tall man and a woman, both delicate and graceful, stood behind it.

Steam clouded the air, making it hard for Alicia Ellis to see. Her hands pressed against the glass, the pattern of her palms clear against it.

Around her waist, the man's arms held her tight, strong as iron.

A whirl of emotions filled her. Confusion and happiness tangling together, she felt like a feather tossed high into the air before falling.

Today, she celebrated three years of being married to Erick Ellis.

In the past, Alicia always reminded Erick, but he never remembered. He even seldom came home.

Though they were married, they felt like strangers.

This intimacy, typical for a couple, was new to them.

Three years of marriage, and Alicia remained untouched.

But she never held it against Erick.

Finally, the bathroom door opened. Erick, dressed in a bathrobe and immersed in steam, stepped out.

His robe hung open, showing his chest, marked with Alicia's nail scratches.

Alicia was bursting with excitement, like a hyper little animal. In her eagerness, she accidentally scratched his skin a few times, unable to contain her wild energy.

Erick, wearing a cool smile, took a seat and casually lit up a cigarette.

After a bit, Alicia came out, gripping her bathrobe tightly. Her cheeks were pink, a blend of shyness and nerves showing. She was trying hard to look composed. "You seem pretty happy today," she remarked, somewhat hesitantly.

In their marriage, Alicia had always been the more submissive one, partly out of guilt.