This is the last in this series, finally giving Chad's view. I think it's obvious at this point what the opinion of this series will be, but it'll be interesting for me none the less. For those that read through all three, I appreciate your time, especially since some either didn't like, or couldn't relate. Once again, just to be clear since some people didn't seem to realize when I posted the first one, this is a cuck story.
This is part of a multistory series. Each story is designed to work as a standalone, but is also told from the perspective of each of the three characters. With that in mind, they each have a slightly different feel to try and account for each character's feelings and personality. The woman's is the longest. The last to be uploaded will be the shortest, having cut out a lot of the timeframe that didn't really involve him anyways. That one also fills in some gaps that were intentionally left out from the other stories. I'm curious if there's any interest in a series where it's told from multiple perspectives. It's a lot of work to line up timelines and conversations for continuity, so I'd love to hear feedback in the comments. Enjoy! Hopefully :)
Chad sat on the couch watching the game when he heard Lucy's car finally pull up in front of the house. She had stayed late at work with Mike, preparing for a big presentation the next day. His chest tightened as he thought about how much it seemed like she enjoyed working with him.
As Lucy strode in, her heels clicked on the wood floor. She wore a white blouse and a black pencil skirt, the fabric tight against her curves, and as always, looked stunning, even in work attire, making the fact she was with Mike all the more prominent in his mind.
"Hey, honey," he said, turning down the volume on the TV. "How'd your day go? Feeling ready for tomorrow?"
She offered him a weak smile. "Yeah, everything's taken care of. It was just a long day."
Chad stood up, pushing the coffee table away with his foot as if inviting her to sit down next to him. "Do you want something to eat? I could make you a sandwich or something."
Lucy shook her head, "No, I'm really not hungry. I just want to get out of these clothes and get some sleep. It's been a day." She turned and began walking toward their bedroom, leaving Chad to watch her go.
He called after her, "Are you sure you don't want something? I could bring you up a cup of tea."
Without turning around, she replied, "No, really, I'm fine. I just need to clean up and get out of these clothes. See you in a bit."
Chad sighed and turned back to the TV, though he couldn't concentrate on the game. He heard the shower start up in the bedroom and tried to keep his mind off the idea of her having stayed late at work yet again. There was no denying that she was a beautiful woman and that Chad was lucky to have her, but over the last year or so, they seemed to be drifting apart.
Chad knew he played a part in that. He wasn't happy at work and it was just a job to him. Combine that with her drive and his feeling like he was letting her down, just made him feel like less than the man he was when they married.
He looked around the living room, his eyes landing on a framed photo of them from a vacation a few years back. They were laughing, arms wrapped around each other, with the ocean waves crashing behind them. He remembered that trip vividly, the way her eyes sparkled when she was happy. Her laugh had always been infectious. He loved her deeply, he just wasn't feeling the chemistry he used to. Her dominant personality tended to overpower him, making him feel like he was being bossed around, as if he were still at work.
Chad knew he should be more proactive with her. He tried to be supportive and loving in every way, always aiming to make her laugh, but he couldn't seem to find the that old spark. His sex drive just wasn't what it was these days.
Their sex life used to be quite active, but now it felt like a rare occurrence that he could barely muster the energy for. He knew she was frustrated, and he felt it too, he just didn't know how to spark that fire again for himself.
After a while, the shower stopped, and Lucy coming down the stairs. She wore a t-shirt and shorts, her makeup wiped clean, and even then there was no denying how naturally beautiful she was.
Chad looked up from the couch as he took her in. "You look better," he said, trying to keep his voice light.
She smiled and flopped down next to him on the couch. "I feel better. What is it about a good shower?" Lucy said, running her fingers through her damp hair. "God, today was rough. Mike and I were in the office until just after you called, getting everything ready."
Chad raised an eyebrow. "Mike, huh? You two seem to be spending a lot of time together lately." He didn't naturally distrust his wife, and he honestly liked Mike, but there just seemed to be something different about her on the days she was working with him.
Lucy rolled her eyes dismissively. "Come on, Chad, you know it's just work. He's been a great help with this presentation."
Chad leaned back into the couch, trying to hide the insecurities that wanted to creep into his voice. "Yeah, I know. It's just... he seems to bring out a different side of you, you know?" He wasn't trying to accuse her, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
Lucy looked at him with a serious expression. "What do you mean, 'a different side'?"
Chad hesitated, not wanting to come across as jealous or accusatory. "I don't know, it's hard to explain. You just seem... energized around him," he finally said. "More alive, I guess."
Lucy sighed, leaning back against the couch with her arms crossed. "I don't know what you want me to say, Chad. I've worked with Mike for years, and he's been really helpful with this presentation. That's it. There's nothing more to it."
Chad nodded. "I know, I know. It's just... I feel like there's something you're not telling me." He was trying to be careful to not push to hard, but he couldn't let go of the notion she wasn't being entirely honest with him. He could see the hesitation in Lucy's eyes.