Chapter 3 — The Flower in Both Hands - Part 1 (3)

It wasn't long after David had been savoring sweet, secret moments with Emma when the vacation ended. Just before school resumed, his wife Claire returned from the U.S. with Thomas.

He felt uneasy facing her—guilt gnawing at him. In the mere month she'd been abroad, he'd been entwined with Emma, his wife's closest friend, indulging in a hidden intimacy he could never confess.

And Emma, too, had crossed the same line—forming a deep bond with David, the husband of her dear friend Claire. She must have felt just as ashamed to look her in the eye.

“Emma… you've changed so much lately?”

Claire said it, noticing how Emma now radiated a fuller femininity, her face glowing with a soft, healthy sheen.

Yet Claire herself had changed dramatically in that month. Once settled into the quiet rhythm of married life with the unremarkable David, she now wore her hair differently, dressed in stylish clothes—transformed, as if she'd returned to the very image that had first captivated David when they met.

Seeing her like this stirred a quiet unease in him.

By February, Thomas had returned to school after winter break, and Claire, being a teacher, resumed her work.

She looked stunning—her figure accentuated by tight pants and a chic blouse. She was the picture of elegance.

On a Friday evening, she called to say she'd be late due to school duties. Emma must have been informed in advance.

When David arrived with Thomas on the 15th floor, Emma was already waiting, guiding them to the dining table.

Grace had already eaten and was in her room doing homework. David and Thomas sat across from each other, and Emma took her place beside David, serving side dishes with careful attention.

Her full breasts swayed gently each time her soft blouse brushed against the edge of the table.

“Thomas, was America fun?”

“Yeah! There was so much to see, and lots of cool things to do.”

“Really? Sounds amazing! Here, I made these pancakes just for you.”

As she handed a pancake to Thomas, David's hand, which had been resting on her thigh, slipped inward. Without hesitation, Emma parted her legs slightly, giving him more room.

“Dad, you should try one too.”

She passed a pancake to David with a playful smile, her hand brushing against his.

“Dad! I'm done eating. Can I go play with Grace?”

“Huh? Oh… yeah.”

As Thomas stood and walked off to Grace's room, their eyes met. David's hand slipped higher, tracing the curve of her hip.

Emma flushed, but willingly leaned into his touch.

His fingers traced gentle patterns along her inner thigh, the warmth between them building. Her breath caught slightly—until he withdrew his hand, resting it gently on her knee.

“Emma… is this okay?”

“Ah~ing… you're terrible.”

She shot him a mock glare, then placed her hand over his, pressing it closer.

“Ouch! Why so hard?”

“Hmph! Who asked you to tease me like that?”

A moment later, she leaned subtly against him, her hand gently resting against his.

Spring was approaching. The warming weather made life feel sweeter.

And desire—once buried—now bloomed openly in the shadows.