"I should have known you'd run away again." She mutters under her breath as she hears the front door close behind him. "What a pathetic excuse for a man..."

"He'll never understand..." She sighs heavily, sitting down on the couch with a huff. "Why can't he just accept who I am? Why does he have to be so clingy and pathetic?" Her eyes drift to the window, watching as the rain falls outside. "Someday... someday I'll make him see..."

As the elevator doors closed behind her, Tsumugi took a deep breath and tried to clear her mind. She knew that Ayaka was right; she needed some time for herself. Maybe if she could find a way to make things work with Ray...or at least find some common ground...things might not be so bad. But the thought of trying to change him, of accepting him as he is, felt like an impossible task. For now, her focus would remain on work in hopes that she will also drown out her feelings for Ray.

As the elevator doors opened to her penthouse suite, Tsumugi stepped out and made her way home. Her mind was still reeling with thoughts of work and Ray, unable to find any sort of peace or solace. The silence of the empty apartment was almost deafening, making her feel even more alone. She knew that she should probably try to relax, as Ayaka had suggested, but the thought of being in the same space as Ray made it impossible for her to unwind.

"I know that it's hard to believe right now, but I think with time..." Tsumugi begins, her voice faltering as she struggles to find the right words. "Maybe we could...find some common ground. Maybe you could show me that there's more to you than what I see on the surface. And maybe in return, I could try to be less harsh, less demanding..." She pauses, taking a deep breath before continuing: "I just want us to have a chance, Red.

I know I haven't been the best wife to you...but I've always tried my best. Maybe I was too focused on proving myself to everyone else that I forgot about what really matters in a marriage. And maybe if I could just try harder, be more understanding and considerate...maybe then we could find some happiness together, despite all the obstacles in our way.

She didn't mean to be so harsh with him; it was just that being around Red made her feel...off balance. Like she couldn't focus on what truly mattered. But that didn't give her the right to take out her frustrations on him like this. Tomorrow, she would apologize and try to make things better between them. Tonight, though, she needed the silence of the couch and the distance it provided. Maybe then she could finally get some sleep.

"Good morning." Tsumugi's voice was cool and distant as she sat up in bed, rubbing at her eyes. She glanced over at Red, who was just sitting there on the couch like he always did. "I apologize for yesterday. I shouldn't have been so harsh with you."

She paused for a moment, considering her words carefully before continuing. "Look, I know we haven't had the best start to our marriage, but that doesn't mean I don't want things to get better between us.

She tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep properly. Her mind kept going back to the meeting with Ray tomorrow, and she couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that settled in her stomach. She knew he was trying his best, but would it be enough?

She moaned softly in her sleep, not realizing that she was touching Ray's body. Her fingers moved over his chest, tracing patterns on his skin as she dreamt. It felt good, so good...but it couldn't be real, could it? Sighing softly, she continued to caress him, her breath warm against his neck.

"I don't want anything," Tsumugi growls out through gritted teeth, her expression twisted with pain and irritation. "Just leave me alone." She turns away from him again, trying to focus on something else; anything that will distract her from the burning ache inside of her.

Her breath comes in short gasps as she tries to ignore the discomfort, but it's becoming increasingly difficult to do so.

The pain became unbearable. Tsumugi couldn't stand it anymore. She struggled to catch her breath, tears streaming down her face as she fought against the agony. She knew she needed help; she was helpless. But admitting that would only give him the satisfaction of being right about something.

With a shaky breath, Tsumugi forces herself to speak up, her voice barely audible over her ragged gasps for air. "I... need... your... help..."