Chapter 10 Shoelaces

Charles went home that day, his mind in turmoil after what the doctor had told him. 

He could hardly believe it. The words echoed in his head, refusing to fade.

"You may have a severe case of caudalism, Charles. You take pleasure in exposing your wife to others and may even fantasize about watching her with another man—or woman, for that matter. However, this doesn't fully explain your erectile dysfunction. Come back next week, and we'll run a few more tests."

The moment he stepped outside the clinic, a sense of humiliation crept over him. 

He kept his head down, avoiding eye contact with anyone as he walked to his car. 

Once inside, he gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles turning white.

"Ridiculous. Why would I want to share my wife with someone else?" he muttered through clenched teeth. 

His jaw tightened as frustration surged through him. 

Then, in a sudden burst of anger, he slammed his palm against the wheel. 

The sharp sound echoed in the confined space of the car, but it did little to ease his turmoil.

He had been expecting some sort of medical explanation—something rational, something that made sense. 

Not… this. 

Not something so utterly absurd. He loved his wife, cherished her. 

The mere thought of her with someone else made his stomach twist. 

How could the doctor even suggest such a thing?

Yet, despite his indignation, a heavier truth loomed over him. The problem remained. 

He wasn't imagining it. Something was wrong. 

No matter how much he denied it, no matter how much he wanted to dismiss the doctor's words as nonsense, he couldn't ignore the fact that his body was failing him.

He exhaled sharply, his grip on the wheel loosening. He had no choice but to go along with the process, at least for now. 

Maybe the tests would reveal something else—something logical. Something curable.

With a reluctant sigh, he started the engine and drove off, silently praying that the doctor was wrong.

***

One week later, Mia arrived as planned. 

As soon as Madison opened the door, she barely had time to greet her sister before they were wrapped in a tight embrace, tears streaming down their faces. It had been far too long.

"I can't believe you're finally here," Madison whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Mia pulled back slightly, wiping at her eyes with a laugh. "Me neither. God, Mady, I've missed you so much."

Ever since their parents passed away, their lives had taken them in different directions. 

Both had thrown themselves into their careers, chasing dreams that led them to separate cities far apart. 

Though technology kept them connected through phone calls, messages, and video chats, it wasn't the same as seeing each other in person. 

It had been over a dozen years since they last stood face-to-face.

Despite the years apart, the bond between them remained unshaken. 

The moment they saw each other, it was as if no time had passed at all.

Mia let out a breath and smiled. "Let's go inside, Mady. We can't be crying out here like babies—your neighbors might think I'm bullying you and call the police on me."

Madison laughed, shaking her head. "They'd be right to. You always did love to pick on me."

The sisters walked inside, their arms still loosely linked. 

Madison stole a glance at Mia, unable to stop herself from marveling at how little she had changed. 

They looked nearly identical, so much so that people often mistook them for twins. 

The only real difference was that Mia was a year older and had a small, alluring mole just below the left corner of her mouth.

Neither of them looked a day over twenty-five, despite being well past that age. 

Years of discipline, exercise, and self-care had kept them in peak form, their figures toned and alluring. 

They had always turned heads growing up, and even now, they possessed a natural beauty that made them stand out wherever they went.

They settled into the living room, talking for hours as if making up for lost time. 

The conversation flowed effortlessly—catching up on work, relationships, and all the little details that couldn't be conveyed through a screen.

Eventually, the front door swung open, revealing Julia and Angel, their lovely faces lighting up as they entered.

"Aunt Mia!" Julia exclaimed, rushing forward to hug her.

"My beautiful girls," Mia gushed, wrapping both of them in a warm embrace. "Look at you two! You've grown up so much."

Laughter and chatter filled the room as they continued catching up, the house finally feeling full again.

About thirty minutes later, the front door opened once more.

Jack stepped inside, his presence immediately commanding attention.

Mia turned at the sound, and the moment her eyes landed on him, she froze.

Her gaze traveled over him, taking in his strong jawline, broad shoulders, and the effortless confidence he exuded. 

The air between them shifted slightly, an unspoken tension settling in.

"Oh my…" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Madison, noticing the way her sister was staring, smirked. "Mia, meet Jack."

"Yes," Mia said, standing up with a soft smile as she looked at Jack. Her heart fluttered with anticipation.

"Hi, Aunt Mia," Jack greeted with a warm smile, stepping forward to meet her halfway. 

The familiarity between them was comforting, yet there was an undercurrent of something new, something different in the air.

"You've grown so big and handsome!" Mia exclaimed, her voice full of affection. 

She opened her arms, pulling him into a hug in the center of the room. 

It was a tight embrace, one that felt natural in their first meeting. 

She could feel the strength of his body, the firmness of his chest pressing against hers, and for a moment, it felt like time had slowed.

But then something unexpected happened. 

As their bodies were pressed together, Mia inhaled deeply, and the scent of Jack's cologne hit her—a rich, deep fragrance that was distinctly masculine. 

The smell was intoxicating, a mix of wood and spice that stirred something inside her. 

Her pulse quickened, and she felt an all too familiar heat rush through her body, a wave of warmth that seemed to emanate from the center of her being.

Mia was aroused! 

Her heart raced, and for a split second, it was as though the room tilted slightly. 

Mia's knees wobbled, the sensation so strong that she had to hold onto Jack for a moment longer to steady herself. 

The embrace, which should have felt purely familial, began to stir something else entirely, a confusing mix of emotions she wasn't prepared for.

She pulled back slightly, trying to regain her composure, but the rush of heat didn't fade. 

Instead, it lingered in the air between them, a subtle, almost electric charge. 

She looked up at him, her gaze lingering on his face, but it was different now. 

There was something in her that was both surprised and unsettled.

Jack noticed the change in her, the slight pause before she pulled away, but he didn't say anything. 

He just smiled, as if he didn't quite realize the impact he was having.

Mia took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. 

She had never expected this, never thought she could feel this way in such a simple moment. 

It was confusing, and part of her felt embarrassed, unsure how to process the sudden shift.

"You've really grown up," Mia said softly, her voice not quite matching the confidence she once had. 

She took a small step back, trying to create some distance between them, but the warmth in her chest lingered, stubborn and confusing.