lyn

ething about her tone lingered in my mind,

imagi

yself that this evening wasn't focused on

my husband being distant recently, I was

aids were doing. The home was already immaculate, the atmosphere fragrant with fresh roses from

id, was putting away the last of th

o you need

icted. "You all can retire for th

sure, ma'am?" "We can make something f

"I want to cook for my

I couldn't fully understand

ell into a d

oking has always been therapeutic for me. The rhythmic chopping, the rich scents

him returning home late for the last few week

h garlic butter, and a side of sautéed asparagus. The rich aro

e apprec

he even

course, he would. Thi

ig

legant white candles flickered softly, casting a warm glow over the dining area. I

as pe

as left was for

I w

wai

k ticked

en

midn

he candle wax flowing down in slow streams. My fingers dru

could

onsistently found a moment to at least reach out to me. However, recently he had

phone and call

resp

ied a

l not

comfort lodged

sound of the front door unloc

art hammering as I

is fitted suit. His tie was untightened, his dark hair a bit

n who wa

a look as he placed

ly, searching his face for

d. "I had a

lump in my throat

le, where the candles had burned low. The

the back of his ne

ut deeper th

, forcing myself

Just for a seco

t," he said, h

l

he was

n it. I just nodded and forc

" I whi

d, he walked past me

eating figure, my han

hts. Was he mad at me? Did I do some

e hiding

eing overly cautious. He felt exhausted. Th

served myself a glass of wine. I wasn't fond of red wine, yet I requi

d to have a conversation with him. To resol

d at our bedroom door

whisper of

murmur of

was talking to himself

man's

low, but u

d turned

he door cracked open, steam rising

r, my pulse poun

know I

caught in

g apart from

started

s he ta

h, my heart hammering so loudl

sponded, but I couldn

ng. I should walk away.

I cou

d to

words shattered whatever

er, baby. I promise.

ab

ever call

nds trembling as I presse

was

ad this bee

e? Or had he been ly

eyes, but I refused to

oof. I neede

ught, my elbow knocked against

echoed thro

fro

versatio

len

d T

vel

voice, shar

omach

w I was