We both sat down on the chairs that were positioned facing each other. I saw the button that would start the timer and stared at Danielle, any hint of fun gone from my expression.

"Are you ready?" I asked her, and she nodded, also looking serious. I pressed the button and lifted my lips.

"You're keeping something from me, right?" I attacked first.

She narrowed her eyes. "It's a test to see who will get flustered the most, so I don't have to respond to your questions, right?"

I shrugged. "You can do whatever you want?".

She smiled and put her hands under her chin. "Do you know you snore when you sleep? Not loud enough to wake anybody, but it's still a sound I hadn't expected from you."

I nodded. That information wasn't sufficient to fluster me, even though it was the first time someone was saying that. "There's something you keep doing that pisses me off." Two could play the game.

She sat straighter. "What is it?" She asked.

I shrugged. "Like you said, we're here to fluster each other, so I don't have to answer your questions."

If looks could injure, I would have been writhing in pain from her glare. "I can understand perfectly why people don't like you. Especially your employees."

I shrugged. "That's great feedback. Thanks." I responded, knowing that would probably piss her off more.

Her hands curled into a fist. I was definitely winning. "Why do your parents not like me?"

I narrowed my eyes. Had she gotten hurt by their behavior? "They don't like most people. Don't take it too seriously." I said softly.

Her eyes softened at my tone. "I'm not bothered by it at all. Do you regret marrying me? Considering everything that has happened since then?"

I glanced at the speaker. Was she going to spill everything for everyone to know? I shook my head. "How about you?"

She shrugged. "It depends on how awful the days end up being."

I found myself leaning forward. "And how often does that happen?" I asked.

She shrugged. "Don't look so concerned. There is a certain pressure that comes from working with your spouse, especially in a position where who is the superior is clearly defined."

I frowned. "What kind of pressure?"

She scoffed. "I'm not answering that. I have a question for you as well. You're also keeping something really important from me, right? One that has to do with someone you will never allow me to utter his name without getting all sensitive on me."

I was fuming. Was she bringing this up now? Here? "Don't touch my sore areas. You also have places that hurt." I warned her.

She bowed her head slightly, realizing she had crossed the line. "I'm sorry."

I tempered myself. There was no need to get so sensitive. It was just a game and from the way things were unfolding, I was probably the one on the losing end.

"You know you're intentionally keeping your head in the sand and allowing your best friend to kickstart an emotional cheating in this relationship, right?" I asked and she froze. I didn't want to bring it up, but I knew from experience that bringing up her 'friend' was a great way to get a good reaction from her, and she didn't disappoint this time as well. Plus, I was still mad about what that ass of her friend had said the last time we had seen each other.

"That's not true. I don't know why you like to insist on what isn't true. Or are you jealous that your wife is closer to a man that is not you?" She tore out and we both froze. As I opened my mouth to respond, I knew I should have kept quiet even before the words were completely out of my mouth.

I scoffed. "That's ridiculous and funny. Why would that happen? We both know that isn't possible, or have you forgotten so quickly?" I said mockingly, looking her down with a calculative expression.

She scoffed. "As if that really means anything." She said with a shrug.

My eyes widened for a second, two, and something she would feel came to my mind. "At least my parents have the decency to show up with a mature manner and act with said manners. It's a wonder how you turned out so well."

Her eyes widened at the insult, and she flushed, her face turning red and the timer started blaring, indicating that the time was over. I sucked in a breath, realizing what I'd just said. Why hadn't it happened before I talked?

"I'm so sorry I said that. You know I didn't mean most of the things I said, right? It was just a game to get the most reaction from you." I found myself saying, and she stared at me, her face still reddened.

"Of course. It was also just a game on my part." She replied sarcastically.

Not knowing what else to say, as it was really obvious I'd hurt her, a lot. I turned towards the speaker.

"Well, congratulations on passing this round, although I really hope your relationship survives this. For the results, Mr. Jonathan Carter, your heart rate started at eighty-three bps and the highest you recorded was a hundred and three beats per second. You obviously know why your name was mentioned first, I believe. Mrs. Danielle Carter, your heart rate started at seventh nine and the highest you recorded was a hundred and thirteen beats per second. Not a landslide by any means but still a sure victory for Mr. Carter. I see you two have some mending to do, so I'll give you five minutes to rest your head. The door will be opened after that, and I will advise you to solve whatever is bothering you. You will need it in the next room."

The speaker went silent, and I followed behind Danielle and went back to sit down.

I glanced at Danielle. "I'm sorry I hurt you." I apologized to her side since she had intentionally turned her face away from me.

She turned to me and I could see the sheen of tears in her eyes. "It's okay. Like you said, it was just a game and I said something hurtful to you first. Plus, you weren't exactly lying. I'm just overreacting." She said and I shook my head.

"Not really. I shouldn't have said that." It was probably the combination of the questions and the things I'd said that had gotten to her, but I knew my last statement hadn't helped matters. Even if we were in a contract marriage with no feelings apart from mutual respect, I shouldn't have brought up her mother in that manner. It had been obvious how embarrassed and uncomfortable she had been in her presence, especially because of the kind of relationship we had.

She cleared her throat. "You said you had things I usually did that pissed you off? What are they? And you are wrong about Lucas. I know you think you know him because you're also a man, but I've known him for far longer and if that were true, he would have said something."

I nodded, leaving it. Were women this dense, or was this characteristic only specific towards my wife? "About that…" I started.

She was looking at me with eyes filled with distrust. "We still have a while. It's better I know now so I can stop doing them."

"Honestly. I just said that to jar you. I guess, like what you said about me snoring." I compared so she could believe me.

Her eyes widened and she shook her head. "I didn't make that up. You really snore in your sleep."

"Really? I do?" I hadn't thought for a minute she had been telling the truth.

She nodded, looking less hurt now. "Like I said, it's not loud or distracting. It's just a sound I didn't really expect from you, given you don't have enough time to sleep most times."

I nodded, and the wall slid open.

"Your time is up, and I hope you are now on better terms." The voice from the speaker said, and we glanced at each other and stood up and headed to the room. I stepped inside and paused, unable to take another step. While we weren't on the verge of fighting and Danielle looked more relaxed now, I didn't think doing this right now was going to be a good choice.

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