CHAPTER EIGHTY: BACK HOME

As Axel and Diana returned home from their trip to the Maldives, there was an unspoken tension between them, like a thick fog that refused to dissipate. Diana tried to engage Axel in conversation, but he seemed distant and preoccupied, his mind clearly elsewhere. Ignoring her attempts at small talk, Axel disappeared into his home office as soon as they arrived, leaving Diana standing alone in the foyer, a sense of unease settling over her like a heavy cloak. She had hoped that their time away would bring them closer together, but now it seemed that Axel was more distant than ever. For days, Axel buried himself in his work, spending long hours holed up in his office, poring over reports and attending endless meetings. He emerged only to grab a quick meal or a few hours of sleep, barely sparing Diana a passing glance as he went about his day. Meanwhile, Diana found herself drifting through the empty rooms of their luxurious penthouse, feeling more alone than ever in the sprawling expa