My flight to Aspen was canceled on Christmas night, so I dragged my suitcase back home.

I pushed open the door and saw it.

A candlelit dinner on the table, and clothes scattered all over the floor.

This wasn't the first time I'd walked in on Julian and his personal assistant, not by a long shot.

I'd lost count of how many times it had happened.

The faint sounds of a man and a woman panting from the bedroom were painfully loud.

But I didn't cry or scream like I used to.

I just calmly sat on the living room sofa and waited for the whole ridiculous scene to be over.

……

The sounds from the bedroom stopped abruptly, as if someone had hit the mute button.

I sat quietly on the sofa in the living room, watching Julian step out from the bedroom doorway.

He was bare-chested, wearing nothing but a pair of tight boxer briefs, and he started picking up the clothes from the floor.

On his bare back, I could clearly see a few red scratches.

They were the intimate marks of what had just happened, a silent testament to their passion.

Ten seconds later, his assistant, Lily, walked out of the room too.

She was completely naked, a wide smile on her face as she wrapped her arms around Julian’s waist.

Her face was glowing with happiness as she pressed it against his back, her voice soft and seductive.

“Julian, I’m so glad you’re here with me...”

Julian took her hand, turned, and pulled her into his arms, his tone light and teasing.

“Anything to make you happy.”

Lily leaned in to kiss him, but then she suddenly noticed me sitting on the sofa.

Her face twisted in terror, and she quickly grabbed some clothes to cover herself, hiding timidly behind Julian.

Julian glanced back at me, a flicker of something complex and unreadable in his eyes.

His voice was flat, but held an authority you couldn't question as he spoke to Lily.

“Go back to the room. Don't worry, I'll handle this.”

A flash of reluctance crossed Lily’s eyes.

Her lips trembled as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she stayed silent and did as he said.

Julian added one last thing.

“And close the door.”

After Lily had gently shut the bedroom door, Julian finally turned his full attention to me.

He glanced at the suitcase by the front door, pretending to ask casually, “What happened? You didn't leave?”

My voice was even as I replied, “The flight to Aspen was canceled.”

“Oh.”

Julian grunted, then rubbed his forehead and sat down next to me.

The sofa sank noticeably under his weight.

He closed his eyes and spoke softly.

“I didn’t expect you back. I thought you’d be in Aspen by now.”

“Lily’s from a small town, a poor girl who's never really had a Christmas. Since you were gone with your friends, I brought her back to celebrate with me.”

“Don't be mad, I promise... I won't bring her here again next time.”

I stared at Julian, remembering how he’d reacted just a few days ago when I’d asked him to spend Christmas with me.

He’d looked at me with that cold, dismissive face of his, his tone dripping with annoyance.

“Why are you so obsessed with Christmas? It's just another day. You know how busy the end of the year is for me.”

His words had been like a bucket of ice water on my excitement.

I’d quietly canceled the restaurant reservation on my phone.

After that, I agreed to go skiing in Aspen with my girlfriends.

Seeing me silent now, or maybe just afraid I'd make a scene and upset Lily, Julian spoke up again.

“I'll send her home right now.”

I nodded lightly, my voice flat.

“Okay.”

A look of surprise crossed Julian’s face, and honestly, I was surprised at myself too.

I hadn’t lost my temper.

I hadn’t started a fight.

Ignoring his shock, I calmly stood up, grabbed my suitcase, and started walking toward the guest room.