Shower and a nice evening

The hot water pelted Nicole’s shoulders, the steam filling the small bathroom until the mirror was a blank, white wall. She closed her eyes, letting the heat soak into her muscles, trying to wash away the mental image of Mr. Jefferson from their earlier encounter. She scrubbed her skin until it was pink, desperate to feel clean, though the weight of the blackmail felt like a layer of grime that no soap could touch.

She stepped out, wrapping herself in a thick, cream-colored robe that clung to her damp curves. When she walked into the living room, the flickering blue light of the television illuminated John and Daniel.

"Finally," Daniel said, a playful glint in his eyes. "We thought you'd fallen asleep in the shower."

"It took a while to unwind," Nicole replied, sliding onto the sofa between them.

John shifted, his arm draped over the back of the couch. "You okay, Nic? You seem... distant today."

"I'm fine, honey," she murmured, leaning her head against his shoulder. "Just a long day."

"Mmm-hmm," Daniel hummed, the sound vibrating low in his throat. He shifted closer, his thigh pressing firmly against hers. "I bet. You look like you've been through it."

John looked at the remote, frowning. "I can't decide on a movie. Everything looks boring. Maybe something light?"

"Let's do the new romantic comedy," Daniel suggested. "I think we all need a little love in the air, right?"

"Haha, since when do you like rom-coms?" John laughed, glancing at his brother-in-law.

"Since I realized they're the only things that don't make me want to punch the screen," Daniel retorted, his gaze sliding toward Nicole.

As the movie started, the room grew quiet, save for the dialogue on the screen. John eventually drifted to sleep, his breathing becoming heavy and rhythmic as he succumbed to a nap. In the sudden silence, Daniel’s hand drifted down, his fingers grazing the hem of Nicole's robe.

"He's out," Daniel whispered, his voice a low rasp