Check on Natalie.

It's just after 9. Ava will be gone for a little while. Maybe 15 minutes if you had to guess. It seems like a waste to just sit here. The thought of just inviting yourself into the bathroom with Ava crosses your mind. Would that be too much? Almost definitely.

It's amazing how you're starting to see literally every action you take through the prism of the Affection Multiplier. It really seems like the best use of your time would be to go check on your wife and attempt to raise her scores. It will be uncomfortable being around her with her almost guaranteed infidelity looming over you. You can handle it, though.

Leaving Ava's bedroom, you momentarily pause outside in the hallway. From behind the bathroom door, you can hear your daughter singing softly and the sound of running water. It sounds like some pop song that's been playing all over the radio. Since when did she sing in the shower? You've never noticed...

Natalie is exactly where you expect. She looks up from her tablet as you enter the master bedroom. It's probably just your imagination but she looks so god damn guilty. You freeze for a moment, unsure of what to do. Similar to last night, her mostly empty drink sits on a table next to her. You walk forward to grab it.

Tapping the screen on her tablet to pause whatever she's watching, Natalie removes one of her earbuds and says, "Frank, you really don't have to keep on doing that..."

Taking the glass, you smile at her and say, "It's no problem at all."

You expect her to turn back to her show but she doesn't. Instead she kind of looks at you for a moment, something clearly on her mind.

"I'll be right back, Nat, and then you can tell me what's on your mind."

She hesitates and then nods. You give her another friendly smile and leave the room. A minute later, you're back with glass in hand. You place the drink next to Natalie and then sit on the ottoman that her feet are resting on. You lay your hand just below her knee. She flinches slightly which makes your stomach sink.

Your wife sets her tablet aside and gives you her full attention. She seems hesitant to say anything so you decide to get it started.

"Dinner was a little weird."

She cringes, "You could say that."

Playing innocent, you ask, "Is Ava upset with you or something? That was kind of the vibe I was getting but I didn't want to bring it up."

To your delight, she squirms in her chair, "I think so... maybe... sometimes it's hard to tell... did she... did she say anything to you?"

"Me? Oh no. You know she never talks to me."

Sounding relieved, she comments, "Well you two seem really close lately."

"I know, right? It's honestly amazing. My spirits haven't been this high in years."

She breaks eye contact and looks away.

"I'm glad to hear that, Frank..."

You lean forward and take her hand.

"Sometime soon, you and I need to have a talk."

"About what?"

"Our daughter is about to go off to college. We'll be empty nesters. I just can't stop thinking about what that means for us. If we will... stay together."

She tenses and seems to instinctually pull her hand away.

You sigh and continue, "Our marriage is in bad shape, Nat. We both know it. Tell me that I'm not imagining this."

"You're not..."

"I still love you. That's never changed."

You pause, hoping for her to say she loves you back. Instead she just stays silent and avoids eye contact.

"When you're ready, be it tonight, tomorrow, or whenever, we'll sit down and have this conversation. I'll be completely honest with you. Will you do the same?"

You've never seen your wife look this uncomfortable. You wait a few seconds for her answer. Then a minute. Her eyes fill with tears which start running down her cheeks. By this point it's clear that she isn't going to answer.

You sigh and bow your head, knowing how bad of a sign this is. You stand up and lean forward, kissing Natalie on top of her head. You didn't expect the conversation to turn out this way but you are kind of glad that it did. Your instinct is to leave the room immediately but instead you decide to get undressed. Once you're in your boxers and a t-shirt, you look back over at your wife sitting in her chair. She's still crying silently.

You pause by the door, "I'll say goodnight to Ava for you."

Without waiting for a response, you leave your wife in search of happier memories with your daughter.

Back in Ava's bed, you wait anxiously for her return. The shower was still going when you passed by in the hallway. You feel kind of ridiculous laying there in your sleepwear. It seems a bit inappropriate but that's kind of what you're going for, right?

Several minutes later, the door opens and your daughter strolls in. She has a white bath towel wrapped around her. The bottom hem reaches not even halfway down her thighs, displaying a lot of her long and tanned legs.

Heading for her dresser, she says, "Sorry, Daddy. I forgot to take clothes with me into the bathroom. Normally I just come back in here to get dressed."

Starting to get up, you say, "Oh, I can leave for a minute."

She smiles, "No, it's fine. Just... don't look. Okay?"

You relax back on the bed and close your eyes.

"Maybe cover them with your hands too..."

You cover your eyes with your hands. A silent moment passes before you hear the sound of Ava opening one of the drawers of her dresser. The urge to peek is overwhelming. Well, do you do it? Do you take a peek at your daughter while she gets dressed?