64 Unveiling Feelings in the Shadows

The tension in the dining room was palpable. Lily, with her heart pounding, felt the stifling weight of the silence between her and Michael. She couldn't bear the tension, the unspoken accusations hovering in the air. "I should leave now," she whispered, her voice barely above a murmur. It was better to escape than linger in this torturous atmosphere. But as she stood, Michael's firm grip on her wrist halted her retreat. She found herself locked in his intense gaze, her heart racing uncontrollably. Michael's eyes, deep and penetrating, seemed to search her soul, seeking answers to unasked questions. "You owe me an explanation about yesterday," Michael's voice was low, carrying an undertone of demand. It was a reminder of their complex relationship, one that required honesty, even in its fragility. Lily, feeling a surge of unexpected joy at his insistence, decided against fabricating excuses. "I haven't told my friend about us... about our marriage. I didn't want her to worry,"