Chapter 3: Boundaries and Breakdowns

3

“In the study drawer... there’s medicine and a syringe. Go get them...” Rachel’s voice was weak, desperately trying to hide the scales and patterns spreading over her body.

I looked at her—lips bitten bloody, clothes soaked with sweat, curves outlined seductively...

She trembled like a leaf, refusing to meet my eyes.

My hand hovered over the pen, and for a heartbeat, I remembered a different Rachel: one who, years ago, had quietly fixed my tie before a make-or-break meeting, smoothing the knot with careful fingers. I remembered the flutter in my chest, the strange comfort of her touch, and the way I’d pushed that memory down, pretending it didn’t matter.

Suddenly, I changed my mind.

Three years in a cold marriage—even if I don’t have a succubus’s appetite, I’m still a normal man.

Even though I’d written the first rule of our contract myself: No feelings, just money, absolutely no taking advantage.

But I’m a morally bankrupt, vicious supporting character—why bother with trust now?

My reflection in the window looked older, more haunted than I remembered. Maybe it was time to break my own rules. I remembered, too, the night Rachel patched me up after a fight with Tessa: her hands gentle, her voice softer than I’d ever heard, the faintest warmth flickering behind her cold mask.

Having decided, I gently stroked her face and whispered, “Rachel, I’ll be gentle.”

“Don’t touch me... I’m dirty...” She trembled at my touch, clinging to her last shred of dignity.

I caught her hands in mine, thumbs tracing circles against her knuckles. "Not to me," I murmured.

“But I want to...”

I shrugged off my bathrobe, wiped the blood from her lips with my finger, and leaned down to kiss her. Her lips tasted like copper and salt, and for a second, I forgot to breathe.

Barrage:

[What’s happening? The male supporting character is taking the initiative!]

[Aaaaah, this is so hot, I’m dying. Bro, do you need a dog?]

[My villain OTP is SERVING tonight!]

[Heart pounding, hands shaking—our villain couple is finally doing it!]

As our lips met, I cupped Rachel’s head in my broad, warm palm.

She gasped, her legs going weak.

Suddenly, a black ‘rope’ coiled tightly around my waist.

It was so tight it hurt; I groaned, trying to push it away.

“Sorry, don’t... don’t look...” Rachel snapped out of her daze, eyes shrinking in panic as she tried to hide the tail that had slipped out.

Before I could react, she’d already fled in embarrassment.

The sound of her bare feet slapping against the hardwood echoed down the hallway. I stood there in the empty room, the echo of her footsteps lingering, confusion and regret twisting in my gut.

A moment later, I heard her rummaging through the study drawers next door, the sharp scent of medicine wafting out.

I leaned against the wardrobe, gulping for air, watching the barrage scroll by:

[Rachel, you coward, come back! I already took my pants off, why are you running?]

[Am I the only one who feels bad for the second female lead? Bullied her whole life for being a succubus, married her white moonlight with joy, but even he finds her disgusting. How could she not feel inferior?]

[Male supporting character, seriously, did you have to act grossed out by her true form at a time like this? She’s really about to break.]

No, I’m innocent!

I just didn’t want her to tie me up so tight...

My breath came in short, ragged bursts. I stared up at the ceiling, unsure whether to laugh or scream.

I stared at the empty doorway, heart pounding, the taste of her still on my lips—and no idea what I’d just started.