Who he belonged to first

Ray woke up just as the first light of dawn crept into the suite, casting soft shadows across the luxurious space. Samira lay beside him, her breathing steady, her face softened by sleep. The events of the night before still swirled in his mind, the mix of emotions lingering in the air between them. He had done his best to reassure her, to convince her of his commitment, but he knew there were still cracks in their fragile bond.

Quietly, he slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb her. He needed space to clear his head, to work through the tension that had been building inside him for days. After dressing in workout gear, he left a note on the bedside table for Samira, letting her know he was headed to the hotel gym and would be back in a couple of hours.

The hotel gym was empty when Ray arrived, the soft hum of machines filling the room as he set himself up on the treadmill. The rhythmic pounding of his feet against the belt helped him focus, helped him push everything else to