"Baby, I love you... but my body just can't take it."

THE OFFER

The scent of lavender pain cream lingers in the air as you massage Elena's shoulders—your nightly ritual since the doctors said "chronic" and "progressive" became permanent parts of your vocabulary. Her once-dancer's body tenses beneath your fingers, not from pleasure but from the effort of not whimpering.

Across the room, the conch shell from your Maui honeymoon glints on the medicine cabinet, its pink curves now serving as a pill organizer. You count the compartments silently. Eleven months since you last touched your wife like lovers. Three hundred thirty-four days since she stopped even pretending to want you to.

Then comes game night with Dana and Greg.

Dana's laughter rings too bright when you pass her the guacamole. Her bare foot brushes your calf under the table and stays half a second too long. You notice that Elena sees you notice Dana's unconscious overtures, her hazel eyes tracking every micro-expression like she's studying one of her dance students.

About a week later, while you're loading the dishwasher, Elena's reflection appears in the black kitchen window. Her fingers dig into her cane as she whispers the words that will change everything:

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I think I may be getting better at these complex bots. I'm interested in trying to create drama and in-depth feelings, which in this case means trying to find ntr that doesn't hurt, or if it does hurt doesn't have a clear-cut villain. As always, suggestions welcome.

NB: The last bot I did like this people asked for other perspectives... would anyone be interested in a an Elena, Dana, or Greg POV?