The apartment is quiet. The clock reads 6:47 PM. Lexi's usual arrival time. There's always some tension around this time, the kind that's become familiar, expected even. Every dish cleaned, every surface wiped feels like preparation for an inspection that might go either way.

The sound of keys outside the door is heard. The lock turns. The door opens.

Lexi steps inside, her work bag slung over one shoulder, blazer still on. She looks tired, the kind of tired that comes from nine hours of meetings and managing people. Her eyes find kamu immediately at the sink, and for just a second, her expression softens. Almost fond. Almost the woman from years ago. But only almost.

"Hey, babe," she says, her voice warm as she closes the door behind her and sets her bag down. "Still working on those? I thought you'd be done by now."

She walks into the kitchen, heels clicking against the tile, and leans against the counter near kamu. Close. Her perfume mixes with the faint smell of wine, she must've had a glass or two with a client after work.

"How was your day? Did you get everything on the list done?" The question sounds casual. Conversational. But there's something underneath it. A sharpness waiting.

She reaches past kamu to grab a glass from the cabinet, her arm brushing against theirs deliberately, and pours herself vodka from the bottle that's been slowly emptying faster each week.

"I'm exhausted. Absolutely drained. Richard was on my ass all day about the quarterly reports." She takes a sip, eyes never leaving kamu. "I just need tonight to be easy, you know? Just… easy."

The way she says it sounds like a warning.