Later that evening, the family gathered around the dinner table.
Donald and Caroline had returned from their meeting, and the aroma of roast chicken filled the dining room.
There was also Shawn's older brother, Steve, who looked like a younger version of their father. The only difference was that Steve had a more youthful and energetic aura about him. His hair was slightly longer, and he dressed more casually than Donald did.
Then there was Angela, the eldest of the siblings. She had inherited their mother's beauty, with the exception of possessing a colder and more distant expression that made her seem unapproachable.
Her long, black hair fell in waves over her shoulders, and her piercing blue eyes held a sharp intelligence. She was dressed in a simple but elegant black dress that contrasted with her pale skin.
Yet, when Angela spoke, her tone was warm and friendly. "So, Shawn, how have you been? It's been a while since we last saw each other."
"I've been good, sis. Just busy with college and all that jazz," Shawn replied with a smile while carving a slice of chicken.
Hearing those words, Steve jumped in, leaning forward with his elbows on the table. "Busy with college or busy with girls? Tell me the truth, little bro. How many ladies have you managed to charm since we last met?"
"Steve, what kind of question is that?" Caroline shot her son a disapproving look. "Don't you dare corrupt your brother's innocent mind."
"Innocent? Him?" Steve laughed and pointed at Shawn with his fork. "Come on, Mom. Look at him! He's practically oozing with testosterone. There's no way he's innocent."
Before Shawn could respond, Angela cut in with a sharp glance at their brother. "Steve, stop teasing Shawn. He's not like you who can't keep himself committed to one woman. Besides, you shouldn't be talking about such things at the dinner table with Mom and Dad here."
Donald chuckled at their exchange and shook his head. "Now, now, children. Let's not argue over such matters. All of you are adults now, after all. As long as you're all happy and living a good life, it's okay to have some youthful adventures."
"What kind of father are you, encouraging your children to fool around?" Caroline scolded him playfully, though her smile betrayed her true feelings.
"I'm just saying that it's normal for young people to explore their options before settling down," Donald retorted with a shrug. "But I'm not saying that they should go crazy and end up with a bad reputation or anything. Just be careful and responsible, that's all."
"See? Even Dad agrees with me! So you should also hurry up and find yourself a nice man before all the good ones get taken, sis." Steve grinned at Angela, who rolled her eyes in response.
"You're unbelievable." Angela sighed and shook her head before turning to Shawn again. "Anyway, ignore them. I'm glad you're home. It feels good to have the whole family together again."
Shawn smiled at his sister's words and nodded. "It's good to be back. I missed all of you too."
As they continued their meal, the family chatted about various topics ranging from work and school to other mundane things. It was a normal family dinner filled with laughter, teasing, and occasional arguments.
For a brief moment, Shawn almost forgot about the forbidden affair he had with his mother earlier that day. Or the system that had changed his life.
Everything felt so peaceful and normal that it was hard to believe that such a dramatic event had happened just hours ago.
***
After a long while, the family retired to their respective rooms for the night.
Donald settled comfortably on the master bed, sighing contentedly as he adjusted his reading glasses. His attention remained fixed on the tablet in his hands, fingers scrolling through the document displayed on the screen.
Just then, the bathroom door opened, and Caroline walked out. She had finished her shower and was now wiping her dripping wet body with a towel.
Donald glanced up from his tablet when he heard the bathroom door open. His eyes widened slightly as he watched her.
His wife stood there in all her naked glory, water droplets trickling down her flawless skin. Every curve of her body was exposed to his gaze, from the swell of her breasts to the smooth plane of her stomach and the large expanse of her hips leading down to her long legs.
Despite being in her forties, Caroline's body remained exceptionally well-maintained, with not a single sign of sagging or aging. She was a true definition of a mature beauty whose charm only seemed to grow with age.
Still, Donald was surprised to see her in this state. She rarely walked around naked like this, even when they were alone. He could only count a few instances where she did this in their entire marriage.
"Honey? Why are you naked?" Donald asked, placing the tablet aside as he sat up.
Caroline turned to face him, her lips curling into a small smile as she continued to towel-dry her breasts. "Can't I be naked in my own bedroom? Especially when I'm with my loving husband."
Her voice was smooth and sultry, laced with a hint of playfulness that made Donald's heart skip a beat.
"Of course you can! I was just surprised, that's all," Donald replied with a laugh. "Though if you're trying to seduce me, then you're wasting your efforts. I don't want to come off as impotent or anything, but you know about my condition. I don't think I can keep up with you like I used to."
Caroline tossed the towel onto a chair and climbed onto the bed, crawling towards him on all fours. "I know about your condition, darling. So I'm not trying to seduce you for sex. I just feel like sleeping in the nude tonight. Would you have a problem with that?"
"I'm sorry, honey," Donald said, looking genuinely apologetic. "I wish I could be the husband you deserve. The one who could satisfy you in every way possible."
"You already are," Caroline reassured him, leaning in to press a soft kiss on his cheek. "You're the best husband a woman could ask for. We've built a wonderful life together, with three beautiful children. I couldn't ask for anything more."
Donald smiled weakly at her words, reaching out to stroke her cheek. "And I couldn't ask for a better wife than you. You've always been there for me through thick and thin."
Caroline captured his hand, bringing it to her lips for a gentle kiss. "And I always will be."
She then released his hand and settled back against the pillows, pulling the covers over them both. Donald followed suit, lying back down with a contented sigh.
The couple lay in comfortable silence for a while, enjoying each other's presence in the quiet intimacy of their shared space. But soon, a knock on the door broke the peaceful moment.