83

I lay there in bed next to my husband, Cole, watching him sleep. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of anger mixed with sadness. This wasn't the first time he had come home late, leaving me waiting and hoping for a romantic evening together.

But then again, I couldn't entirely blame him. Cole was a successful businessman, always on the go and trying to meet the demands of his job. I knew it wasn't easy, and I didn't want to add to his stress. But at the same time, I couldn't help but feel neglected and unimportant.

As I lay there, I thought about all the effort I had put into planning our romantic dinner. The cooking, the decorating, and the lingerie. And yet, it had all gone to waste.

I was brought back to reality when Cole stirred in his sleep and let out a soft snore. I couldn't help but chuckle to myself. Even in his sleep, he managed to make me smile. But as I looked at him, I knew I couldn't let this slide.

I nudged him gently, trying to wake him up. "Cole, wake up," I whispered.