Chapter 16: The Offer

Elena stood beside her car, keys in hand, her patience wearing thin. Max and David were still hovering, their intentions far too obvious after everything that had already happened between them.

"I am going home," she said, her tone sharp with annoyance. "You both should too."

Max quickly stepped forward. "Wait, Ma'am… it's academic related."

Elena paused, one eyebrow raised. "What is it?"

Max glanced at David, then looked back at her with a carefully constructed expression of sincerity. "Actually… my grades are dropping. I don't really understand some topics from the classroom. So if you could provide some extra classes for weak students, it would be really helpful. After class… or maybe at your home on weekends. And yes, it will be just for study related… nothing else."

David nodded eagerly beside him. "Yes, Ma'am. I'm also weak at studies. Extra classes will be of tremendous help."

Elena stared at them for a moment, her expression flat. She knew exactly what they were trying to do. The "extra classes" they were asking for had nothing to do with biology and everything to do with what had already happened in the lecture hall.

"If you focus more on the lecture instead of doing weird things," she said coolly, "then it will really help you. Not extra classes."

She opened the car door, slid inside, and closed it firmly. The engine started with a low hum. For a second she sat there, hands on the steering wheel, before lowering the window.

"I will think about it," she said, then drove off without another word.

The moment her car disappeared from the parking lot, Max and David turned to each other with wide grins. They bumped fists, barely able to contain their excitement.

"She said she'll think about it!" Max laughed. "That's basically a yes!"

They celebrated like they had just won the lottery, already imagining all the things they could do with their professor once they had her alone.

Elena reached home a little later than usual. She parked the car, went inside, and immediately busied herself with chores — wiping down the kitchen counters, and preparing dinner. The familiar rhythm of domestic tasks helped quiet the noise in her

[head.

By](http://head.By) the time Edward's car pulled into the driveway, she had just finished setting the table.

The front door opened and Edward stepped inside, looking tired but present in a way he hadn't been for weeks. Elena walked over to him, and for the first time in a long while, they shared a proper kiss — not rushed, not distracted.

"Welcome home," she said softly, taking his coat. "I made dinner."

Edward smiled, the expression genuine. "Smells amazing. Thank you."

They sat down together and ate quietly at first, the atmosphere warm and domestic. It felt almost normal again. Elena found herself relaxing, enjoying the simple comfort of having her husband home and attentive.

After they finished eating, Edward reached across the table and took her hand.

"Elena… I want to apologize to you," he said quietly. "I know I haven't been giving you time for ourselves. You've been lonely. So I've decided that this weekend I'm going to spend all my time with you. What do you say?"

Elena's heart swelled. For a moment, she felt a rush of genuine happiness. "That's so nice of you, Edward. I'm really excited…"

She hesitated, the words catching in her throat. The image of Caleb flashed in her mind — the dinner they had planned for tomorrow night. She had been looking forward to it.

After a pause, she spoke again. "I had some dinner party on Saturday night planned with my coworkers for my first week of work. But don't worry about it… I'll cancel it."

Edward immediately shook his head. "What? No, you don't need to cancel that. These parties are important. You should go. We'll have our time on Sunday. Don't worry about it."

Elena looked at him, surprised and touched. "Really? Thank you, Edward, for being so understanding. I didn't want to miss that either."

Edward squeezed her hand. "Of course. You deserve to enjoy these things too."

They finished clearing the table together. Later, they settled on the couch and watched a romantic movie — something light and sweet that neither of them had seen before. Elena curled up against Edward's side, and for the first time in months, it felt like they were actually a couple again.

When the movie ended, Edward turned to her. There was heat in his eyes, but also something softer. He leaned in and kissed her, slower this time, deeper. Elena responded, letting herself melt into it.

They moved to the bedroom without speaking.

Edward was gentle at first, taking his time undressing her, kissing along her neck and shoulders. Elena closed her eyes and let herself feel it — the warmth of his hands, the familiarity of his body. When he finally entered her, it was slow and deep. She wrapped her legs around him, holding him close as they moved

[together.

It](http://together.It) wasn't the frantic, desperate sex she had been craving in secret. It was softer. More emotional. And for a little while, it was enough.

Afterward, they lay tangled together, breathing slowly. Edward fell asleep first, his arm draped over her waist.

Elena stayed awake a little longer, staring at the ceiling. The sex had been nice. Comforting. But the restless hunger that had been growing inside her for weeks hadn't completely disappeared.

Her phone vibrated on the nightstand.

She reached for it quietly, careful not to wake

[Edward.

It](http://Edward.It) was a message from Caleb.

Caleb: Hey Elena. Confirmed the venue for tomorrow. 7:30 PM at La Bella Italian Restaurant downtown. Looking forward to it. Let me know if you need the address.

Elena stared at the message for a long moment, her thumb hovering over the screen.

She didn't reply right away.

Instead, she placed the phone back on the nightstand and turned onto her side, Edward's steady breathing beside her.

Tomorrow was going to be complicated.

End of Chapter 16

Read 30+ chapters ahead, unlock exclusive stories, and get early access to new

[content.

patreon.com/maddy32](http://content.patreon.com/maddy32)