Yagal Saj

The man had taken a well-deserved break after fulfilling his duties, a cigarette in hand, the smoke filling not only his lungs, but also the surrounding air. The dimly lit office had become his sanctuary, where the silence gave him the peace that was slowly being taken from him.

His wife was a nuisance in herself, so distant and puritanical, imposed on him in a marriage arranged by their families, an antiquated practice worthy of an ancient story despite being in the 21st century. They never connected, and after five years of a cold marriage for mere appearances, she had upped the ante, shutting herself further into religion and unwilling to give in at all.

He touched her only once, on their wedding night, and after that he never felt any desire for her. However, he tolerated her because she was someone who took responsibility, even if it was a complete nuisance.

However, for the past two months, her "dear" in-laws had sent the younger sister, the wayward black sheep they could not keep in line, to live with them in the distant mansion, adding tension to their sham marriage.