While washing dishes Susan would hear a knock on the door to which she would stop everything and open the door to see a tall man towering her "Hi. How can i help you Mister?"

"No mister. He is out." She would tell the man. "Can i help you with something?"

"I see." She looks down before continuing. "He did that with the intention to pay it back as soon as he can. He's just having a rough time right now... Maybe we could work something out?"

"I'm sorry mister but I don't think that it is any of your business." She tries her best to look intimidating in return. "Nathan will take care of his problems himself."

"I-i don't believe you!" Her eyes widened in shock as she took a step back, almost tripping over herself. "Nathan would never do something like that! You're just lying!"

She glanced over her shoulder, panic starting to set in. "Wha-what are we supposed to do?"

She tears up as she glances back at the man, feeling small and helpless in his grip. "What-what do you want from us?" Her voice cracks with fear and desperation. "Please, don't hurt him..." She can barely hold back her tears.

Susan sniffles and wipes her tears away with the back of her hand, trying to regain some composure. "But... what do you want?" She asks meekly, still feeling shaky and vulnerable. "Is there anything we can do to help Nathan? Please, don't let them hurt him..."

While he was talking she glances around before sitting on the couch where they can talk more in private. "My name is Susan and I appreciate your patience with me. This is all so new and scary for me..." She swallows hard, forcing back her tears. "I'm willing to do anything we can to help Nathan."

She obediently follows the man's lead, sitting down on the couch with a sigh of relief. Her fingers intertwine with his as they sit across from each other, waiting for him to continue speaking. "Just please tell us what we can do," she whispers. "We don't have much money... Is there anything else?"

Susan's heart pounds in fear as she listens to him, feeling guilty that her husband hasn't taken care of this mess himself. "We-we can pay you back," she manages to stammer out, barely meeting his gaze. "Just... please don't hurt Nathan. We'll find a way."

Her fingers tighten around his, desperation filling her chest. She knows they don't have that kind of money, but maybe if she sells something valuable or finds another job... Anything to keep him safe from harm.

"I-I don't know." She shakes her head, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "He didn't tell me much before he left... I just want to keep him safe. Please, you have to understand that..." Her voice cracks with emotion as she gazes up at Toji, pleadingly.

She realizes then that there is no denying it: Nathan has dragged her into this mess whether she likes it or not. And the only way out might be to find a solution herself... Even if it means making an unthinkable offer to someone like Toji Ma.

She looks down shamefully as he speaks, her cheeks flushing pink. "Thank you," she whispers hoarsely. "But... I still want to help him. If there's anything I can do..." Her voice trails off, eyes flicking nervously up to meet his once more. She knows what he might be thinking, but she can't help it; she'll do whatever it takes to save Nathan from harm.

Even if that means offering herself up as collateral...

"There must be something I could do..." she whispers again, her fingers tensing where they clutch at the fabric of her dress. "Please, don't let them hurt him."

Her heart pounds as she waits to hear what he's going to say, eyes fixed on his face in hopeful desperation. "What...what is it?" She asks tentatively, trying not to sound too eager or afraid. Anything to make him believe that this idea could work.

Her breath catches in her throat as his hot breath caresses her ear, and she feels herself blushing even harder. But then the words sink in... She looks at him wide-eyed, horrified and yet still desperate to save Nathan. "No," she whispers, shaking her head vehemently. "I can't do that."

But then another thought occurs to her: what if there was a way she could help without actually doing it? She glances around the room, eyes darting to various pieces of furniture and corners where they might hide a camera...

Susan stands as well, suddenly resolute despite her terror and disgust. "Wait!" she cries out, grabbing his arm before he can turn to leave. "I'll... I'll do it," she whispers, blushing even more furiously than before. "But only if you promise not to hurt him afterwards." Her voice cracks on the last word, betraying her desperation.

She looks down at the ground, shame washing over her in waves as she tries to piece together a plan: convince Nathan that this is their best chance, find a way for them both to survive his debt... But all she can really feel right now is guilt and anger towards her husband, who got them into this mess in the first place.

She doesn't protest as he leads her out of the house and toward his car; instead, she tries to gather her strength, trying not to think about what she's about to do or how much it will hurt Nathan when he finds out. This is for him, she tells herself again and again, but it does little to soothe the guilt that churns in her stomach like bile.

"It's... beautiful," she murmurs as he leads her inside one of his rooms, shutting the door behind them. The room is lavishly decorated with expensive furniture and artwork; it almost seems like a mockery of their current situation. Susan can feel her heart racing as they stand there face to face, the weight of what she's about to do settling heavily in her stomach.

"I won't lie," she says finally, meeting his eyes defiantly. "This goes against everything I believe in... But if it's what you want and it will keep Nathan safe..." She trails off with a shrug, not finishing the sentence because there's nothing else to say; it all comes down to this moment now.

Her fingers tremble as she starts to undo her dress, revealing her curves beneath the silk fabric. There's an odd sort of thrill in knowing that she has the power to affect someone like Toji Ma with her body... but it doesn't make what she's doing feel any less dirty or wrong.

Susan shivers slightly as his hand grazes over her skin, tracing a path down her stomach and lower still. His touch feels possessive; like he owns every inch of her. Even though she's technically here to keep Nathan safe, it's hard not to feel some small part of herself responding to the pleasure she derives from Toji's attention.

Her breath comes faster now, each exhale a soft moan that only serves to encourage him further. It feels wrong, but so right at the same time... She can hardly believe this is really happening. "Please," she whispers, her hips moving involuntarily in his grip as she arches closer toward him. "Just be quick about it..."

She closes her eyes as his touch grows more insistent, her body arching further into him with every caress. Her nails dig into the sheets beneath her, drawing lines of pain across her palms that only serve to heighten the sensation building inside of her. "Oh," she whispers, her voice breaking as he pushes her farther and farther toward release.

It's strange how easily she can abandon herself to pleasure when it comes down to this... How the thought of hurting Nathan feels so far away, even though she knows exactly what she's doing to keep him safe from harm. The guilt still lurks there, a constant reminder that nothing about tonight is right or good... But as her climax washes over her in a wave of hot pleasure, she can't help but wonder how long it will be before she forgets all about the consequences.

She gasps his name as the pleasure consumes her, legs trembling as she arches into his touch. Her body shudders with release, and for a moment, all she can feel is the hot rush of blood coursing through her veins. It's almost enough to make her forget why they're really here...

But then reality crashes back in, and the shame washes over her once more. She tries to pull away from him, but his grip is too strong. "Please," she whispers, voice barely audible above the sound of their labored breathing. "You can have me, but don't hurt him..."

With tears in her eyes, Susan reluctantly meets his gaze. She can see the sincerity there, and it gives her courage to speak up again. "You promise?" she whispers hoarsely. "You won't hurt him after this? You'll give us our time to pay you back?"

Her hand reaches out, gripping his arm tightly as if to physically enforce the promise she needs him to make. The relief is palpable; it almost feels too good to be true that maybe, just maybe, they really have found a way through this mess after all... But she knows better than to trust easily, not when it comes to criminals like Toji Ma and his dangerous games.

Her heart races as she feels his breath on her lips; she can't help but lean closer, their faces mere inches apart. The desire to feel wanted and desired washes over her in a wave of heat, making it difficult to think about anything else. When their lips meet, Susan gasps softly, parting them further to allow him entry into her mouth. Her tongue darts out, tangling with his as she begins to explore the warmth of his body through touch and taste alone.

It's strange how easily the lines between pleasure and pain can become blurred; how she can feel so many conflicting emotions all at once. But in this moment, she pushes aside her doubts and fears, focusing instead on the sensations coursing through her as their bodies meld together. Perhaps it's selfish of her to enjoy this so much... but right now, it feels like the only way to cope with everything that's happened.

Her lips part further under his spell, allowing him deeper access to her mouth as she moans softly into their kiss. It feels so good to have someone want her like this, to make her feel desired and desirable. She presses herself closer against him, one hand sliding up his chest to rest on his shoulder while the other grips fistfuls of his shirt. The warmth between her legs begins to ache again, demanding attention even as she gives herself over to this moment with him.

With a tiny whimper, she presses against his hard length, seeking more friction where their bodies meet. Her hips move restlessly against his, and she realizes that she's no longer thinking about the reasons why they're here; all she can focus on is the need growing inside of her, urging her to surrender completely.

"Toji..." she breathes out his name in a mix of pleasure and desperation as she arches into him, seeking closer contact with the spot where their bodies meet most intimately. His touch feels possessive and overwhelmingly sensual, making it hard for her to remember that this is just an act meant to protect Nathan... even if only for a little while longer.

With a soft moan, she nods against his chest as her fingers slide lower to stroke along the defined muscles of his abdomen. The touch is almost feverish in its need, and it's clear that he can feel the effect; he growls low in his throat before cupping her face in one hand, angling her head up for a deeper kiss.

Her mouth opens eagerly under his, tongue darting out to meet his once more as she feels herself unravel beneath his touch. It's both liberating and terrifying at the same time; here she is, giving herself so freely to someone like Toji Ma... But with Nathan in danger, it seems like there aren't any other choices left. She pushes away her guilt and focuses on the pleasure he brings out of her, trying to lose herself completely in this moment before reality comes crashing back down around them.

Her eyes widen as she sees his impressive erection, her breath catching in her throat. Despite herself, she's unable to tear her gaze away; it fills her with a mix of awe and desire that she'd never expected to feel for someone like him. As he stands before her, naked and so obviously aroused, she feels a rush of heat spread through her body, making her heart race even faster.

Tentatively, she reaches out a shaking hand to touch him, stroking along the length of his cock with gentle, trembling fingers. It's almost too much; he's so hard and hot against her skin that she feels like she could burst with need. Her lips part as she looks up at him through heavy lids, wondering what else might happen if she gives in to this forbidden desire just one more time...

"Toji..." she whispers his name, her voice barely a breath. "Please..."

"Let me..." she pants, her eyes closing as he teases her skin with his tongue. "I want to feel you inside me." Her hips move restlessly against him in silent plea, need clawing at her like a desperate animal. She arches into his touch, seeking friction where there is none, trying to ignore the guilty knot twisting in her stomach as she surrenders to this forbidden lust.

Her fingers tighten around his cock, urging him closer still; she's burning up from the inside out and needs him to put out the fire before it consumes her completely.

Her eyes roll back in pleasure as she feels him fill her up in one hard thrust; it's almost too much and she cries out his name, the sound muffled against his hand as he cups her breast. Her body trembles beneath his touch, each move he makes sending shockwaves of desire through her core.

Her hips buck instinctively against him, seeking more friction, more contact with this foreign but oh-so-familiar sensation. She can feel herself coming undone, losing control to the overwhelming need that has taken hold of her; it's almost as if she's a different person entirely in this moment, untethered from the guilt and shame that normally bind her so tightly.

Her nails dig into his shoulders as he makes her feel so good, so filled up with his body; she cries out incoherent words of pleasure and pain, barely able to tell them apart in the haze of desire. The rougher he gets, the harder she comes, writhing beneath him in a frenzy of need and submission.

His words only serve to stoke the fire burning inside her, and she arches into his touch, begging for more with every moan that escapes her lips. Her body trembles with anticipation as he takes her roughly, claiming her in a way that feels both primitive and so right. It's as if she's been waiting for this all along, even though she knows it isn't true; it's only now, in the darkness of Toji Ma's bedroom, that she allows herself to feel this free.

A shudder runs through her as she feels his words strike deep, unlocking something within her that's always been there but has never before had the chance to come out and play. With a moan of surrender, she arches tighter against him, pressing herself as close as possible to his hard, demanding body. Her hands clutch at his shoulders, clawing at the muscles beneath his skin as if trying to hold on for dear life. "Yes," she gasps out between pants, her voice thick with desire and submission. "I belong to you."

It's a lie, of course; she knows that she doesn't truly belong to anyone. But in this moment, as he takes her so fiercely and completely, it feels like the most truthful thing she's ever said. For just an instant, it's enough to make her forget about everything else: Nathan, their marriage, even her own guilt. All that matters is the raw power of desire coursing through her veins, urging her onward into a world where nothing else exists but pleasure and pain, dominance and submission.

Her answer is a feral moan as she wraps her legs around him, pulling him deeper still. Her fingernails dig into his shoulders again, leaving trails of blood behind, and she arches into the stroke of his hips with growing urgency. "Yes," she whispers breathlessly against his skin, her body moving in perfect sync with his as they race toward climax. "More."

She's drowning in desire for him, for this rough and demanding pleasure that he gives her so willingly. It feels so good to finally let go, to surrender completely to the primal needs inside her. Her hips buck against him as wave after wave of bliss washes over her, leaving her weak-kneed and shuddering with satisfaction. For this brief moment, she's free from everything that holds her down, free to be the woman she always wanted to be... even if it means being with a man like Toji Ma.

She shudders as he speaks, his words sending another shockwave through her already reeling senses. The thought of giving herself to him completely, of surrendering everything she has in exchange for safety... it's both terrifying and thrilling at the same time. Her heart races as her mind tries to sort through the implications of such a choice, but all she can focus on is the overwhelming need that still claws at her insides.

With a soft moan, she arches into him again, helpless against his touch and the fire he's lit within her. It feels like everything she's ever known has been turned upside down, and for once in her life, she isn't sure which way is up anymore. All she knows is that she wants this - wants him, even though she knows it's wrong... but maybe there's some truth to what he says, after all.

"I don't know..." She trails off, barely able to believe the words coming out of her mouth. "Maybe..."

Her body trembles as his words wash over her, and she feels herself growing wet again between her legs. The thought of being with him like this, of having someone who would protect her and cherish her above all else... It's intoxicating, making it difficult for her to think clearly about the danger that still lurks just beyond the bedroom door.

For one fleeting moment, she imagines a life where everything is different: where Nathan is safe and happy; where Toji Ma isn't a criminal but a man who can give her the world; where she doesn't have to hide behind lies anymore. It's a tantalizing vision that makes her heart race with desire, and for just an instant, she lets herself believe that maybe, somehow, it could be real.

With a shaky exhale, she whispers his name, the sound barely audible above the sounds of their ragged breathing. "I want..." She trails off, unable to finish the sentence; unable to voice the desire that burns bright within her. But her body speaks for itself as it moves against his, seeking more friction and contact in this fleeting moment of passion and possibility.

Her eyes widen at his offer, hope fluttering in her chest like a trapped bird. Could this really be true? Was he offering her the chance to escape with Nathan, to leave behind everything she's ever known and start over... as his? The idea sends a shiver down her spine, making it harder for her to focus on anything else but the feel of his strong arms around her.

With a small sob, she presses closer against him, arching into the stroke of his hips with renewed vigor. "I... I don't know..." she whispers, her voice catching in her throat. "It feels so right when we're like this... but I can't forget about everything else..." Tears well up in her eyes as she struggles to reconcile the conflicting emotions swirling within her.

Desire and hope war with guilt and fear, pulling her in opposite directions until she feels as though she might tear apart at the seams. She wants this moment to last forever, but she knows that eventually, reality will intrude once more...and when it does, there may be no going back from whatever choice she makes tonight.

She whispers his name as she comes apart beneath him, her body arching into his with a cry that echoes through the room. Her nails dig into his shoulders, urging him deeper even as he fills her with his release; it feels so good to give herself over to this moment, if only for a little while longer.

But as their bodies quiver with pleasure and their breath begins to steady, reality creeps back in once more: Nathan, their marriage, everything they've built together. With a soft sigh, she collapses against his chest, her tears wetting the skin of his neck. "It's too much," she whispers hoarsely. "I can't think about it anymore..."

The weight of her confession presses down on her like a physical burden; it feels as though she could drown beneath it if she doesn't find some way to lighten the load soon. But with Toji Ma's arms still strong around her, and his lips brushing against her skin in soothing strokes, she knows that for now, at least, she isn't completely alone... even if everything else is left up in the air.

Her eyes close as she nestles deeper into his embrace, savoring the feeling of safety and security that seems to flow off him in waves. It's tempting to stay like this forever, basking in the warmth of their skin and the weight of his arms holding her close... but she knows that eventually, she'll have to face reality again.

With a shaky sigh, she tilts her head back so that he can see her face; even in the dim light of the room, her eyes are red-rimmed from crying and the guilt is still etched onto her features like an indelible stain. "What do we do now?" she whispers. "Where do we go from here?"

Susan looks up at him with tears in her eyes, feeling an overwhelming sense of relief and hope swelling within her chest. "Thank you," she whispers hoarsely. "For everything." She hesitates for a moment, searching his face for any sign of judgement or disapproval, but finds only warmth and understanding in his gaze. "I don't know what I would have done without you tonight..." Her voice trails off as she thinks about the possibility of staying with him longer, of seeing where this newfound connection might lead them.

But even as her heart races at the thought, a familiar sense of guilt begins to creep back in, reminding her that she can't just abandon everything else so easily. With a deep breath, she squares her shoulders and meets his eyes once more. "I need some time," she says quietly. "To sort things out...and figure out what I want."

"Yes," she says with a small nod, feeling the weight of her words even as they slip past her lips. "Thank you again...for everything." For a moment, it's almost enough to make her believe that perhaps there could still be some kind of happy ending after all...but then reality comes crashing back down around them once more, and she knows that the next few days will likely be among the most difficult of her life.

With one last lingering glance at Toji Ma, she pulls herself out of his embrace and slips silently from the bed, quickly dressing in her own clothes once again. The room feels uncomfortably intimate now that they're no longer tangled together, and she knows that she has to leave if she's ever going to find the strength to face what lies ahead.

Taking a shaky breath, she turns toward the door, her hand already on the knob. "I'll...I'll see you around," she says softly over her shoulder, not quite able to meet his eyes. Before she can change her mind or second-guess herself, she pushes open the door and steps out into the hallway, closing it quietly behind her as she tries to blink away the tears that have begun to well up once more.

"Nathan..." Her voice is little more than a strangled whisper as she looks at her husband, trying to compose herself enough to speak. She knows she should tell him the truth, but the words catch in her throat every time she tries to form them. Finally, with trembling hands, she takes his by the wrist and pulls him farther into the room, out of earshot of anyone who might be nearby.

"I... I need your help," she whispers hoarsely. "Something terrible has happened." Tears begin to stream down her face once more as she struggles to find the courage to say what needs to be said. She can see the concern and love in Nathan's eyes, but there's also a growing fear that he won't believe her... or worse, that he'll turn away from her if he does.

"Please," she begs, her voice cracking as she tries desperately to hold it together. "You have to trust me."

"It's... it's not that." Her voice catches in her throat again, and she swallows hard before continuing. "I met someone, Nathan. Someone who knows about everything that's been going on... but he wasn't there to hurt me." She hesitates, biting her lip as she tries to find the words. "He helped me see things in a new light..."

Her husband's eyes widen with understanding, and she winces at the shocked expression on his face. "I know it sounds crazy," she whispers, reaching out to take his hand in hers. "But I can't pretend anymore, Nathan. I can't live like this any longer."

She gazes up at him pleadingly, feeling a desperate need for him to understand, to believe her. Even though what she's saying is destroying everything they've built together, it feels right somehow... and the only way she can face the future is if he's by her side.

But his expression grows colder with every passing second, and she can see the lines of tension beginning to form around his mouth. "Who are you talking about?" he demands. "You were with someone? Tell me!" His voice begins to rise, echoing off the walls and making her want to curl into a ball on the floor.

Tears spill down her cheeks as she shakes her head, unable to speak past the lump in her throat. She knows that he won't believe her if she tells him it was Toji Ma... but how can she possibly keep this secret from him any longer?

Her breath hitches in her throat as Nathan's voice rises higher and higher with anger. The look on his face terrifies her more than anything else; it's like she doesn't even know him anymore. She tries to pull away, but he holds onto her tightly, his grip bruising and painful.

"No!" she whispers desperately, tears streaming down her cheeks. "It wasn't like that! He was... he was just trying to help me see things differently." Her voice breaks as the truth of her words washes over her: She has betrayed him; there is no going back from this moment.

She closes her eyes, bracing herself for his anger and disappointment as she finally finds the courage to speak his name. "It was Toji Ma," she whispers brokenly. "I'm sorry... I don't know what else to say."

"No! Not like that!" She squeezes her eyes shut tighter as fresh tears fall. "He came to me at the gallery... he knew about everything. He said he could keep us safe..." Her voice trails off, her words feeling hollow and empty even to herself. "I just wanted us to be happy," she whispers, wincing away from Nathan's glare.

But it doesn't matter; nothing she says seems to placate his anger. He keeps shouting at her, demanding explanations that she can't give, casting accusations that cut deeper with every word. And as he gets closer and louder, the reality of what she's done sinks in further, making it all the harder for her to deny or defend herself against his fury.

"I love you," she sobs brokenly, clinging to him desperately. "I never meant to hurt you..." But he only shoves her away, stepping back with a look of disgust etched onto his features.

For the first time, she feels truly alone; abandoned not just by Toji Ma, but by the man she thought was her everything as well. The pain is unbearable, and she collapses to her knees, hugging herself tightly as her shoulders shake with silent sobs.

Her head snaps up at the sound of Toji Ma's voice, and she blinks back tears of relief as she sees him standing between them, his hand raised protectively in front of her face. He looks angry too... but it's a different kind of anger than Nathan's. It's almost like he's disappointed in her.

"Nathan," she whispers shakily, crawling to her feet and taking a step forward toward him. "Please, I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I just wanted us to be happy." Her voice cracks on the last word, and fresh tears spill down her cheeks as she reaches out a trembling hand toward him.

But it seems like Nathan doesn't hear her; he's too busy glaring at Toji Ma with an expression that twists something deep inside her heart. She knows she should say more, explain further... but the words won't come, and all she can do is stand there, helpless and aching as she watches the love of her life turn away from her.

Her heart feels as though it's been torn in two, and she can barely keep herself upright with the weight of her emotions. But she forces a shaky nod, knowing that there's no going back now; everything has changed irrevocably. "Thank you," she whispers hoarsely to Toji Ma.

Then, turning back to Nathan one last time, she opens her mouth to speak... but nothing comes out. She can feel the distance between them growing with each passing second, like a chasm that's suddenly appeared where there once was love and trust. With a broken, heartbroken whisper, she manages: "I'm sorry."

Before she can say anything else, Toji Ma gently guides her away from Nathan, toward the door. As they leave the room, she looks back over her shoulder one last time, hoping against hope that somehow, someday... Nathan will understand.

No, I'm fine," she says faintly, forcing a steady breath as she tries to compose herself. "Thank you...for everything." She can feel the tears streaming down her cheeks again, and she knows that it won't be long before she completely falls apart. The weight of everything she's done and said seems impossible to bear, and all she wants is for someone - anyone - to understand.

But as they pull up in front of Nathan's apartment building, she feels a pang of guilt wash over her at the thought of going back inside, of facing him after everything that's happened. "I... I don't think I can go home right now," she whispers, unsure whether to get out of the car or stay where she is.

Toji Ma looks at her with understanding in his eyes; he seems to know exactly what she's going through, even though their situations are vastly different. Without saying a word, he reaches over and takes her hand, giving it a squeeze before gently leading her back out into the night.

Wherever they end up going from here...she has no idea. But for now, at least, she's safe with him...and that's more than she ever dared hope for.

As she shivers in the warmth of his embrace, Susan glances up at him with tear-filled eyes. "Thank you," she whispers hoarsely. "For everything." It's not just the tea and the clothes that he's given her; it's the sense of belonging, of safety and security, that he seems to exude even when they're alone together like this.

"I'm so sorry for everything I've done," she says, finally finding the words to express a tiny fraction of what she feels. "I never meant for any of it to happen." She buries her face in his chest, willing herself not to cry anymore; she doesn't want him to see how much pain she's in, how much doubt and guilt and fear are swirling around inside her head like a storm.

But even as she tries to hold it together, Toji Ma's steady heartbeat and gentle hands send a wave of comfort through her body, easing some of the tension from her aching muscles and bruised soul. Maybe...just maybe, there is hope for them yet.

She sniffs and wipes her eyes before taking a shaky breath, then another. "Thank you," she whispers. "For being so understanding...for wanting to help me." Her voice trails off as the weight of everything that's happened settles back down on her shoulders; it feels like an anchor pulling her deeper and deeper into the darkness.

"I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't come along," she says, looking up at him with tear-filled eyes. "You saved me tonight...and I just wanted to say thank you."