Maria was not happy.

Shuu tried to explain the situation, but she'd shunned him until they'd gotten safely back to France, whereupon she'd dragged him into the study and closed the door.

"Don't you see what's happening?" Maria asked, frowning.

"No?"

"She dumps you, but then she finds out that you have money, and she finds a guy to make you jealous and try to rekindle the old feelings in you. She's just after your money and your success, Shuu. She doesn't love you. She has a boyfriend. You have a wife."

"I dumped her," Shuu clarified softly. "And when did I ever say I felt anything for her? You're jumping to conclusions way too fast. And Ken's not like that."

Maria's frown deepened. It wasn't an attractive look on her face. "I saw how you were looking at her."

"What, like I hadn't seen her in five years? Because I haven't. I was just surprised by her image change."

"Which is a guy way of saying checking her out," Maria snapped.

"No! I-" Shuu struggled to deny it but it was hard to deny truth. "I was just surprised..."

Maria crossed her arms. "Fine. Whatever. Ken's in Japan, and you're here in France. You saw her, made sure she's okay, and now you can forget about her and focus on your business."

"But- I hate the business," Shuu said suddenly, feeling as though if he didn't get the words out, he never would. "I hate this whole thing. My dad got sucked into it, and look where it lead him. I don't want to repeat that."

"If you're taking about having an affair," Maria said icily, "I agree with you. But you're the CEO of a hugely successful, wealthy company. Do you know how many people would die to be in your position?"

Shuu was silent.

"And what does it matter if you hate the business? You don't have to do it forever. We'll raise a son. Twenty years later, you can hand the company over to him like your father did to you. You'll have made enough money to keep us financially secure and to provide for our children."

Shuu was quiet. All he could think was Twenty years? "But I don't want any son of mine to be miserable and burdened like I am."

Maria clucked her tongue. "You're being ridiculous. You have a loving wife, a beautiful house, a successful company, but it's not enough for you? You have to debate it all? You sound ungrateful."

"Is it wrong to want to be happy?" Shuu asked, frowning.

Maria stared at him. "Are you saying I don't make you happy?"

Shuu hesitated. This was one of those bad questions where there wasn't a good answer. "It's not you," Shuu finally said. "I mean, you're fine, I just-"

"I'm fine? I'm just okay? We've been married for several years and you just put up with me? I thought you were happy, Shuu! What happened to us being in love? What happened to us being happy together?"

Shuu didn't know what to say or do. He liked Maria. But the person Maria liked wasn't who he wanted himself to be. So he put on a fake smile even though it made him want to cry. "Sorry, dear. I'm just having a bad day."

Maria paused before nodding like she didn't buy it but she'd settle if it got them out of this conversation.

"Fine. But stay away from Ken."

Shuu nodded, still smiling. "Of course, honey."