Falling For Her contracted Husband

Third Person POV

 Ocean leaned against the doorway of the kitchen, his arms crossed, watching as Sky chatted animatedly with one of the maids while arranging a tray of freshly baked bread. "Don't stop on my account," he said, his voice cutting through the air like a subtle reminder of his presence. "You should finish what you're doing." His tone was calm but carried the weight of unspoken authority, and Sky immediately straightened up, her laughter fading as she looked over at him. 

Without another word, Ocean turned and left the kitchen, leaving Sky to stare after him. She turned to the maid with a furrowed brow. "How long was he standing there?" she asked, her voice low but laced with concern. 

The maid hesitated before responding, nervously smoothing her apron. "Not too long, miss. Just… enough to hear, I suppose." 

Sky sighed, her thoughts racing as she tried to recall exactly what they had been discussing before Ocean had spoken up. She dismissed the maid with a small nod, unable to shake the uneasy feeling settling over her. 

Later that evening, dinner was a more formal affair, the table set with precision and the atmosphere laced with polite conversation. Sky sat quietly, her focus on her plate, though she could feel Ocean's gaze on her from across the table. It was only after the main course had been served that he broke the silence. "The food is excellent tonight," he said, his words directed at her. 

Sky glanced up, offering a small smile. "Thank you. I'm glad you like it." 

Ocean leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "By the way, I noticed you were with someone earlier today. A man. Who is he?" 

Sky's fork paused midway to her mouth. "He's a friend from college," she replied after a brief hesitation, her tone carefully measured. 

"Just a friend?" Ocean pressed, his gaze narrowing slightly. 

"Yes, just a friend," Sky said firmly, setting her fork down and meeting his gaze head-on. "Is there a problem?" 

Ocean shook his head slowly, though his expression suggested otherwise. "Not a problem, but I'd prefer if you were more transparent about where you go and who you meet. It's not just about trust; it's about avoiding unnecessary issues. You know how the media can be—one picture of you with someone else, and suddenly, the headlines are out of control." 

Sky's jaw tightened, and she folded her hands in her lap. "Ocean, I don't think—" 

"Sky," he interrupted, his voice soft but firm. "I'm not accusing you of anything. I'm just saying it's better to be cautious. That's all." 

She sighed, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. "Fine. I'll try to keep you informed. And also, I want to go see my mom. " 

He leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "No need to apologize, Sky. I get it. Things have been tense lately." He nodded slowly, processing her words. 

"Seeing your mom sounds like a good idea. It might be good for you." There was a pause, the air thick with unsaid things. 

"Oh, and by the way," he added casually, "my friend is coming over this weekend. Thought I'd let you know in case you need some space."

She gave him a small smile, one that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Thanks for understanding. And your friend—no problem. I'll stay out of the way." With that, she left the room, leaving him to his thoughts.

***********************

The next day, Ocean sat at his desk, staring at the never-ending pile of paperwork. His pen tapped rhythmically against the surface as he tried to focus, but his thoughts kept wandering. A soft knock on the door pulled him back to reality. 

"Come in," he called, expecting a colleague or assistant.

To his surprise, Amanda stepped in, her presence catching him off guard. He blinked, setting his pen down.

"Amanda? What are you doing here?" he asked, his tone carefully neutral, though his heart raced. He wasn't sure what to make of her sudden appearance, but he couldn't deny the thrill of seeing her.

She shrugged, her posture relaxed but her eyes giving her away. "I thought I'd stop by," she said, her voice light but edged with something deeper. 

"It's been... a while."

He leaned forward slightly, resting his arms on the desk. "It has," he replied, his voice measured. 

"But why now? What's changed?"

She hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "I miss you, Ocean. That's the reason. I've been thinking a lot, and I can't pretend like everything's fine when it's not." She met his gaze, her vulnerability shining through. 

"I thought maybe we could at least try to be friends. I don't know what that looks like yet, but I don't want to keep avoiding you."

His lips twitched into the faintest of smiles, though he quickly schooled his features into neutrality. 

"Friends, huh?" he echoed, his tone laced with a hint of skepticism. "You think we can pull that off?"

"I'd like to try," she said firmly, taking a step closer. "I don't expect it to be easy, but I don't want to keep pretending like you don't matter to me. Because you do."

For a moment, he didn't respond, his mind racing as he considered her words. Finally, he nodded. 

"Alright," he said, his voice softer now. "We can try. No promises, though."

She smiled, relief washing over her face. "That's all I'm asking for," she said. With that, she turned to leave, but not before glancing back at him one last time, her expression a mix of hope and uncertainty.

Ocean's fists clenched at his sides as he sat, facing Amanda in the quiet of the office. His jaw was tight, eyes narrowed, the anger swirling in his chest. 

"I can't do this," he muttered, shaking his head, as if trying to force the words out. "I can't be friends with you anymore."

Amanda blinked, a wave of confusion washing over her face. "What? Why? I don't understand, Ocean. We've been through so much together." Her voice trembled with both disbelief and hurt. 

"Why would you say something like that?"

Ocean didn't answer right away. He just stared at the ground, his breathing shallow, as the silence between them grew heavy. His thoughts were spinning, tangled in emotions he didn't want to deal with, but that anger—his anger—was too loud to ignore.

Finally, Amanda couldn't take it anymore. She took a step closer to him, her voice soft but sharp with suspicion. 

"Is it because you're married now?" She searched his face for any sign of an answer, her eyes flickering with a mix of vulnerability and hope. 

"Is that why? Because you have a wife now?"

Ocean's eyes flicked up to hers, a coldness settling in them. He didn't want to be cruel, but the truth felt too raw to keep in. 

"No," he said, his voice low. "It's not just because I'm married."

Amanda's heart raced, her chest tightening with an uncomfortable realization. She took another step forward, her breath catching. 

"Then what is it, Ocean?" she asked, her voice cracking. "Is it because... because you're still in love with me?"

Ocean's expression faltered for a split second, a flash of guilt flickering in his eyes. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words got stuck in his throat. He couldn't say it. He wouldn't say it.

But the silence that followed was enough to answer him.

Amanda's face paled as her mind processed what was happening. She shook her head slowly, disbelieving. 

"Ocean… you never stopped, did you? You never stopped loving me."

He finally met her gaze, his own eyes filled with pain. "It doesn't matter," he said, his voice quiet but firm. 

"I can't keep pretending this is okay. You deserve more than just my apologies and my regrets. I need to move on, Amanda. For both of us."

Amanda stood there, her heart hammering in her chest, as she realized the truth of his words. They were both trapped in a past that neither of them could change, and it was time to let go. But that didn't make it any easier.