It was all bruises, covered in makeup

Dark sunglasses
And that next morning, sitting in the back pew
Praying with the baptist

- Church Bells (Carrie Underwood, 2015)

Inui was nervous when the master of the house arrived earlier than the madam, although he is no longer strict than before, her initial reaction was to be scared whenever he comes home early.

She prepared him a glass of juice and a slice of cheesecake that the madam baked.

Kuon didn't touch the snacks, his attention is concentrated to the paper he was holding, Kimiko's bank always sends him a monthly bank statement report, and earlier, they faxed him this month's statement.

He already used to Kimiko spending thousands of yens monthly, but what caught his attention is the money deposited to the account of Mogami Kyoko every week.

So, he comes home early hoping to confront his wife only to find out that she went and spend time with her friend.

Kuon sighed, the cheesecake on the table looks tempting, he took a bite, he was blinked at the taste.

It was good! Kimiko really worked hard in studying Culinary Arts.

After having his fill, Kimiko arrived a little later, he was surprised seeing her wore a simple square pants, shirt, paired with flat doll shoes.

She didn't wear make up either, all in all, she looks more elegant in simpler outfits than on what she used to wear where she looked like an obvious nouveau riche.

She jumped in surprised seeing Kuon sitting on the couch in the living room.

"You scared me." She breathed. She approached him and kissed him on the cheek casually. "You came early, what's the matter?"

Standing up, Kuon showed her the bank statement.

"Who is Mogami Kyoko?" He sternly asked.

Kyoko froze on the spot, she slowly looked up at him. "W-Who?"

"Who is Mogami Kyoko and why did you sent money in her account every week?" He asked angrily.

Every week? Kyoko didn't know that. She was looking everywhere but his eyes. Thinking for any excuses.

Kuon gripped her arms. "Answer me!" He growled.

"C-Charity!" Kyoko yelled. She yanked her arms from him, crossing her arms on her chest. "I was helping that girl, okay? She's someone I knew from where I was a kid in the slums. Her mother is sick and she borrowed money from me."

Kuon narrowed his eyes at her. "Why didn't you tell me?"

She rolled her eyes. "Me, helping a poor, will you even believe it? Ruriko-chan didn't even know about it, 'cause I know, that girl will only laugh at me." She snatched the document from him and read the bank statements.

Her eyes mentally almost dropped seeing the amount being transferred to her account. Those two kept their end of the agreement, she needed to keep hers too, she need to act as Kimiko until the real one gets bored and come back home.

"Why do you look surprise?" Kuon asked her after observing her for some time.

"I'm just surprise how little the money I spent these last few days." Kyoko tossed the paper on the floor, and went upstairs. She doesn't want to spend any other minute with him.

Kuon read the document again, one of transactions was made during when she was locked up in the basement.

How come there's a transaction during that time? According to the maid and guards, she stayed at home the whole day.

In their room, Kyoko sent Kimiko a message, thanking her and Sho for the money. To her surprise, Kimiko replied.

"Of course dear. Just do your job properly and we will be good too."

Kyoko sighed, tossing the phone in her bed. She went to the bathroom to wash up, she already started undressing when the door opened, revealing her 'husband' wearing nothing but boxers.

Kyoko's blood raised up to her face, and starts squealing, covering herself.

Kuon was surprise when Kimiko starts throwing things at him.

"Get out! Get out! I'm using it!" She throws whatever her hands get at him. Shampoo, bath soap, toothbrush, anything! "Pervert! You should've knock!"

"Hey! Stop that!" Kuon muttered annoyingly, defending himself. "Fine, fine! I will leave!"

The man left the room, slamming the door. Kyoko clasped her chest, her heart beating rapidly. She took him by surprise, that was the first time she saw a man (almost) naked! And his body is so… seductive.

Kyoko shook her head to get that image out of her mind.

She hurriedly wash herself knowing that the man is waiting outside.

In their bedroom, Kuon was in deep thought, he knows Kimiko loves surprise sex, specially in the shower, and he's in the mood to be intimate with her after such a long time, and surprise her, but who knew, he's the one who got surprise by her reaction.

And did she just called me pervert?! He mentally exclaimed. What's wrong with that woman?!

Kimiko came out, wearing jogging pants and T-shirt.

"It's your turn!" She scoffed, her face instantly blushed seeing him on the state he was in earlier – still on his boxers!

The man noticed his wife's red cheeks and blushing ears, and he found it… cute. He never saw Kimiko blushed before. She's not a conservative one, and she's no longer even a virgin when they start dating before, so he found it refreshing seeing her bashful manner.

"I'm going to prepare for dinner!" She hurriedly turn and left the room, feeling awkward to be with a half-naked man.

Kuon softly chuckled.

"So… she has a cute side too, huh…"

It is still early to prepare dinner, but she needed to do something to occupy her time, or else, she will just think about how alluring Kuon's body is.

Stop it Kyoko! You are fantasizing on a married man! She mentally scolded herself.

But right now… You technically his wife right? You have every legal rights to do whatever you want on his body! Her demons whispered. You can lick it, bite it… you can even have sex with him~~

Don't listen to her Kyoko-chan! Her angel countered. You are not his wife! And he will know that you are just a replacement when you decided to sleep with him!

Idiot! Her demon scolded the angel. She can pull it off! Make him drunk and he will remember nothing!

So you want Kyoko-chan's first time to be like that?!

Kyoko gripped her head as the angel and demon were fighting in her head! Her face was red that can even put tomatoes on shame.

She pounced when someone touched her shoulder.

Kuon frowned at her. "Are you alright?"

Kyoko mentally gripped the angel and demon to shut up and tossed them away. She mentally composed herself.

"Of course." She smiled at him. "Do you need anything?"

Taking the chair next to her, he joined her in the terrace.

"I have a three-day off next month, where do you want to go?" He asked. Kyoko stared at him. "It's been a while since we spend a family vacation, I'm busy with work, and you are busy in your Culinary Arts lessons these last few months."

Kyoko's heart tightened. So… Kimiko really never spend time with her family… the Culinary Arts was just an excuse, but who knew it became useful.

She softly smiled at him. "Why not asked Maria? Let her decide where she wanted to go."

Kuon stared at her, smiling slightly. "Let's do that then."

The maid informed them about Maria's arrival, and the couple welcomed her together. Maria gasped seeing her parents together.

"Mommy! Daddy!" Maria jumped at them.

"How's school?" Kyoko asked, kissing her on the cheeks. "Did you have fun?"

Maria grinned, nodding at her. "Yes! My classmates were jealous when they saw the lunch that you made for me!"

"Really? Then on Monday, I will prepare enough food for you to share with your friends."

"Thank you mom!"

"Come on, I'm sure you are hungry, there's still few slices of cheesecakes left from yesterday."

Maria was too happy to obliged. She need to obey her mother, after all, there's a favor she will need to ask to her.

Kuon can't help but smiled at the scene where his wife and daughter talked 'normally', no snide remarks or rolling eyes from Maria.

But he did notice that his daughter was just acting, like him.

During that specific weekend, he noticed her wife being restless, as she busy in her phone.

He narrowed his eyes on it.

"Are you alright?" He asked carefully.

"Yes, I am." She answered immediately.

I'm not okaaaay! I want to meet with Moko-san and Chiorin! Today is my mother's birthday!

She mentally exclaimed.

Kuon stood up, looking at his watch. "Ah, I need to go to the office, there's a document I need to fetch."

Kyoko mentally sighed in relief. "C-Can I meet with Ruriko-chan?" She asked. "You know, shopping and chatting."

He stared at her longer, before sighing. "Alright."

Kyoko was too happy and excited that she can finally meet her mother after such a long time.

In fact, she's too happy and excited to jumped and kissed him on his cheeks. "Thank you…"

Kuon felt his face gets hot. He can't believe that at thirty three, he can still blush at his wife's kiss, and at the feeling of her body as she hugged him.

On instinct, he wrapped his arms around her waist, which startled Kyoko.

"U-Uhm… you need to go to the office now…" She reminded him, discreetly taking his arms from her.

Kuon hummed. "See you later."

"See you later."

She immediately went to the kitchen to bake a cake for her mother, and cooked her favorite dishes.

Inui was surprised but didn't say anything, she let the madam do the work in the kitchen, while she do another stuff.

Kyoko drive to the apartment where her mother, Kanae, and Chiori are waiting. Without noticing the car that was following her.

"Will Kyoko-chan really arrive?" Saena asked for the umpteenth time.

"Yes auntie." Chiori assured the woman. Kanae and her already told Saena about Kyoko's 'work', but the woman won't believe it until she saw her daughter personally.

"She's here!" Kanae exclaimed, seeing the red sports car parked in front of their gate.

Chiori helped Saena to stand, while Kanae helped Kyoko with her things – mostly boxes of food.

Kyoko trembled seeing her mother, she looks healthy now.

"Kyoko-chan…?" Saena asked uncertainly, after all, this is not the face of her beloved daughter.

"Mom…" She starts crying.

Saena brought the girl to a tight hug. "I'm so sorry… because of me, you needed to destroy your beautiful face."

Kyoko hugged her tighter, crying on her shoulder. Saena rubbed her back, this is indeed her child, she's still a crying baby.

"Now, now…" Kanae come in between. "Auntie, it is bad for your heart to be sad."

Kyoko sobered up. Chiori handed her a handkerchief, and Kyoko wiped her tears with it.

"Happy birthday, mom." She greeted with a smile.

"Thank you, my beloved daughter."

"You are late." Kanae grumbled. She already opened the boxes of food, and prepare the table.

Kyoko sighed. "Because I'm waiting for Hizuri-san to leave first!"

"Wow… you are really scared of him, huh…" Kanae mumbled.

"He is scary!" Kyoko exclaimed. "He looks like an Emperor of the Night when he's angry."

Her chuckled at her weird descriptions again.

"It seems that the real Kimiko is a gold digger bitch." Kanae muttered

"The Hizuri is an old money, so it's understandable why she still sticks with him." Chiori stated.

Kyoko sighed. "She already have the things that every woman wanted, and yet..."

Saena held her daughter for comfort. "Promise me you will have your beautiful face back after all of this."

Kyoko smiled at her. "Of course, mom. Don't worry."

They are in the middle of the feast when the doorbell rang. Being close to the door, Chiori decided to open it.

She gasped at their unexpected visitor. Before she can say anything, he entered the apartment.

Kyoko immediately stood up seeing him in her mother's apartment

"W-What are you doing here?"

"I should be the one asking you that." He retorted. "What are you doing here?"

"Remember Mogami Kyoko that you mentioned before?" Before he can answer, she gestured at Saena. "She's Kyoko's mother. And since, today is her birthday, I came to check on her, to make sure that Kyoko was not lying when she borrowed me money." She rolled her eyes to look convincing.

Saena stood up, bowing at him. "Your wife has a huge heart, Hizuri-sama. Thank you for all your help."

Kuon didn't know what to say. His wife was restless earlier, so he lied in going to the office, and when he saw her car left the mansion, he followed her.

He was surprised when she saw her stopped in front of a small apartment.

He was complicating whether to knock or wait, but in the end, he chose the former.

Kuon was expecting her wife on a tryst with her lover again, that's why he was taken aback when he entered the room and saw her in the middle of a meal with people whom he never thought that can be considered as Kimiko's 'friends'.

Kuon cleared his throat. "No need for you to bow, Mogami-san." He helped the woman stand, and back to her seat. "Kimiko only gave her extra allowance."

Kyoko nervously laughed. "Right…"

Kanae narrowed her eyes at the man. "Why won't you joined us, Hizuri-san?"

Kyoko widened her eyes at Kanae's invitation.

What the hell are you doing?! She mentally sent her the message.

Kanae caught it, and smirked at her. I will interrogate him!

Kyoki sighed in relief when Kuon declined. "There's somewhere that I need to go." Kuon kissed his wife. "Go home early."

"Y-Yeah…" She stuttered.

After the man left, Chiori muffled a squeal, while Kyoko was blushing deeply, and Kanae rolled her eyes.

Her mother, Saena, can only sigh.

"Do not fall for him, Kyoko-chan." Her mother reminded her. "He is already married and you are not his wife. His 'real wife' will come back and I don't want you to get hurt when that time comes."

Kyoko nodded timidly. "I understand, mother. I haven't forgotten where to stand."

Saena hugged her one last time before she went back, but she's not in the mood to go home yet, so she decided to have a chocolate ice cream in a nearby mall.

"Well, well, well… Look who's here~" She turned around and saw a beautiful woman smirking at her.

Kana… Kyoko remember the picture of a woman that Kimiko showed her.

"Kana-san…" She smiled at her. "It's been a while."

The woman got goosebumps the way Kimiko addressed her.

"It seems that Kuon was right… there are some changes in you."

Kyoko rolled her eyes. "People change."

"Oh?" Kana took the seat across her. "Indeed. After all, this the first time I saw you eating chocolate."

Kyoko mentally coughed. She forgot about it! But she never thought she will bump into Kana in the mall either.

"What do you want?" Kyoko asked irritatingly as she could.

Kana's eyes hardened. "Listen here, no matter how you act like a good wife on Kuon now, you will never regain his trust."

Kyoko was in the mood to teased the woman. She remembered Kimiko telling her that Kana has a thing on Kuon.

"Are you jealous, my dear?" Kyoko smirked at her. "No matter how much you blabber, it won't change the fact that I am his LEGAL wife."

Kana's eyes were red with anger. "You!" She growled, clenching her fists. "He will divorce you sooner or later, you bitch!"

Kyoko stood up. "He might do that, but even so, he cannot be yours."

"And you knew that he already have someone special in his heart that neither you nor I can erase." She raised her voice, stopping her on her tracks.

Kyoko turned, smirking at her. "At least I became his wife, what about you?"

Kana gritted her teeth watching Kimiko's retreating form.

Kyoko was in good mood when she arrived home, she played with Maria and helped her with her homework and projects.

Kuon noticed her enthusiasm. "Did something good happen?" He asked when they already settled on the bed.

"Yup~" Kyoko grinned at him. "Kana-san's angry face is so funny~"

Kuon raised his eyebrow. He already knew that his wife and his friend didn't get along.

"You met with her?"

Kyoko giggled. "Of course not! I just happened to see her when I was unwinding at the mall."

Kuon hummed.

"And also, she reminded me that you already have someone in special, and that's not me or her."

Kuon sighed. "I already told you about her, and you are okay with it."

"Of course…" Kyoko murmured.

The two already lying on bed, both still awake but neither of them speak. They can only hear each other's breathing.

"Kimiko."

"Hm?"

"What made you change?" Kuon suddenly asked.

Kyoko thought for a moment.

"I just need a temporary freedom, and then, when I came back, I will start anew and become a good wife and a mother to my husband and daughter."

She remembered Kimiko said that to her. The woman wanted her marriage to work out. Kyoko took a deep breath as Kuon waited for her answer.

"I know you no longer trust me, but I still want this marriage to work out. We both don't want Maria to grow up in a broken home, do we?"

Kuon stared at her. Kyoko was surprised when the man hugged her, kissing her head. "I really thought you are just acting to get my sympathy… I'm sorry…"

Kyoko blushed, as her heart pounding on her chest loudly.

"I never thought that you will give our relationship, this family a chance."

Kyoko can only hum. Afraid that her voice will give way of her emotions. Kyoko's blood turned cold when she felt his hands unbuttoning her shirt.

Kyoko quickly clasped his hand, stopping him.

"I'm… not in the mood for that." She sheepishly grinned at him.

Kuon sighed, kissing her forehead.

"Okay."

Kyoko released the breath she didn't know she was holding when he decided to sleep and nothing more.

Kuon woke up at the sound of someone moaning. He turned and saw Kimiko clutching her abdomen.

"What's wrong?" But seeing the her pale complexion and the blood on the sheets, he immediately understood. "But didn't you always have your period every first week of the month?"

Damn this guy! He even monitored his wife's menstrual cycle! Kyoko mentally cursed.

"I don't know…" She moaned, it was painful, her cramps is so damn painful!

He went to get the medicine kit, taking two tablets of pain reliever, and a glass of water.

He helped her take the medicine, but Kyoko shook her head.

"It's bitter." She complained.

Kuon sighed, he went to his closet, changing his night clothes. He took his coat and wear it on Kimiko.

"W-Wait! Where are you taking me?" She squirmed when he scooped her up and went downstairs.

"To your OB-gyn." Kuon simply stated. "This is the first time I see you in deep pain while on your period. There must be wrong with you."

Kyoko wanted to blush, it is embarrassing hearing a man talking about period. But with the pain in her abdomen, her blood can't warm up her cheeks.

He carefully put her on the passenger seat, and drive to the hospital. Kyoko could no longer take the pain and fainted along the way.

Her OB-gyn was surprised seeing Kuon, carrying his unconscious wife seven in the morning in her office.

Kyoko woke up in a strange room, the pain in her abdomen is still there, but its bearable now. This is what she hated during her period, she always fainted and woke up in a hospital or clinic.

She noticed the IV tube on her right hand, and when she moved she noticed the pad between her legs.

"Wh-Who cleaned me?" She asked the man who was sitting on the couch.

"Who else?" Kuon gave her a look. "Me, of course."

Kyoko wished the floor will open and eat her. That was so embarrassing! It means.. He saw it!

Bloody hell!

Kyoko was so embarrassed to look at him and covered herself with the white blanket.

"What are you being ashamed of? This is not the first time I saw it." He deadpanned.

"But this is the first time you saw it while on my period!" She whined under the covers. Her face was red as the tomatoes.

"That's right…" Kuon mumbled. "It was a new experience."

"Ugh! Let's go home."

"Wait until the you finish the transfusion."

"Fine…" She grumbled.

Kuon stared at her wife, who was still under the cover, sighing. He went back to the couch to take a nap.

In Iceland, Kimiko and Sho are having their leisure time.

"Hey, babe…"

"Hm?"

"Why don't you just divorce Kuon and be with me?"

They are both under the covers, naked, done with their bout of lovemaking.

Kimiko rolled her eyes at him. "I told you, I can't. I signed a prenup."

"You have me, what are you worrying about?" Sho frowned when Kimiko barked out a laughter.

"Oh my god! You think you surpass the Hizuri's wealth? Come on! You might be surgen but that's it. And besides, I love Kuon."

Sho snorted. "You just love his money."

"Bingo~~" Kimiko chimed.

"Then why did you decided to be with me then?"

Kimiko smirked at him. "It's because I hate Mimori. You are dating her, aren't you?"

"I'm not." Sho groaned. "She's throwing herself at me." He started trailing kisses all over her body. "The one that I love is you."

"Hm." Kimiko hummed. "Everyone loves me." She dug her nails at the root of his hair. "After all of this, you can have that girl, Kyoko. We have an exact image so just imagine her as me."

Sho grinned as he pleasured her. "That might be a good idea."

They both lost their selves as they pleasure each other.