"What happened during those seven months? You've changed, haven't you?"
The voice, a blend of curiosity and something more, pulls me to a halt. It's Denver, his unexpected presence causing my heart to skip a beat. I had been heading towards my room, lost in my thoughts, when I noticed him standing by my door. Leaning against the door frame, arms crossed. He exudes a mix of familiarity and distance that leaves me momentarily speechless.
"Denver..."
I released a heavy sigh, my nerves dancing beneath my skin as I stand before him. It's an odd sensation. This mixture of apprehension and longing that courses through me. I can't quite decipher why I've chosen to act this way. Why I've adopted the role of a recluse, shielding myself behind layers of change.
The truth is undeniable. I am not the same person I once was. I've transformed, grown, evolved. Yet, I'm cautious, unwilling to let Denver make assumptions about myself.
"Change is permanent, Denver," I said softly. My gaze locking onto his gray eyes. They hold a mesmerizing depth, a pool of emotions that I find myself drawn to every time. "So, why are you here?"
The question slips from my lips. The words tinged with a vulnerability that I can't hide. Despite the uncertainty that lingers between us, I can't deny the yearning to understand, to bridge the gap that's kept us apart.
His lips form a tight line as he straightens his stance. "I've been doing my work, Sharmienne," he replies, his voice carrying an edge that matches the tension between us.
"Work with what? Fixing this marriage?" I retorted. I try to walk past him, but his grip on my arm is firm, halting my progress before I can enter my room.
The air hangs heavy with unspoken words. The weight of our shared history palpable in the space between us. 
"You'll act like this after what you've done?" he questions. His voice a blend of accusation and hurt. “You’ve left without notice.”
"It was for the best of us," I assert, my voice unwavering despite the turmoil that churns within me. "I wanted to honor your wishes. And now, you're criticizing me for it? Do you want me to come back?" The question slips from my lips as I meet his gaze with an intensity that matches his own.
"Yes, Sharmienne!" His words pierce the air, carrying an intensity that leaves no room for doubt. "There hasn't been a single day when I didn't yearn for you to be by my side. I've longed for you, to have you back in my life. I made a grave mistake, so foolish, by letting you slip away... I couldn't bear the thought of being without you."
My heart races, his words echoing like a resounding confession that takes me by surprise. "Denver..."
"I've been working tirelessly to mend what's broken between us," he continues, his voice tinged with regret. "It was my fault for pushing you away, for letting my fear of losing you cloud my judgment. I was afraid, terrified even."
"Please... I need to rest," I interject, my voice tinged with weariness. His grip loosens, and I step away, the weight of the conversation bearing down on me. The emotional intensity hangs in the air, almost suffocating.
I can't hear them now. I need a moment to collect my thoughts, to process everything that's transpired in this short span of time.
His words echo in my mind that pierce through the layers I've carefully built around my heart. I can't deny that a part of me wants to believe him, to hope that perhaps, amidst the pain and distance, there's a chance for us to find our way back to each other.
As I stand alone in my room, the door closing behind me, I take a deep breath. My mother's presence is a calming presence. How surprising that everything that happened, I still longed for her warmth. The soft rustle of sheets and the delicate touch of her hands on my bed become a comforting lullaby, a place of solace to be found.
"Mom..."
As I step into the familiar interior of my room, memories and emotions flood over me. A space that holds echoes of my past. My art and the connection that I once shared with Denver. The vanity table where my sketches are and paintings on my walls. Each stroke of the brush a testament to the feelings I've harbored. I hope he didn't wander into my room and stumble upon these visual confessions.
"Mom... I'm sorry you had to witness that," I utter softly. Her understanding smile offers me a semblance of reassurance.
"You two are both frustrated with each other," she observes. 
Her gaze steady on me. It's a simple statement, yet it cuts to the heart of the matter. I can't help but nod in agreement. The truth of her words hanging heavy in the air.
With a sigh, I sink onto my bed, my emotions a maelstrom inside me. I know I can't keep avoiding Denver, no matter how overwhelming the thought is. We have to talk, to face the unresolved emotions that have kept us apart. It's a daunting prospect, but one that I can't keep evading.
“We've not seen each other for awhile, that's why."
"You should talk to him again. Patch things up. Clear the misunderstandings."
Her presence on the bed draws me closer, and I take a seat beside her. Her grace and elegance shine through, shows the strength and power she carries. A small smile tugs at my lips as I realize that she may have been anticipating this reunion, just as much as I have.
Her advice rings in my ears, a simple yet profound directive that lingers in the air. "Yes, mother." 
Her gaze softens, and she imparts her insights with a sense of nostalgia. "As a married couple, you should be capable of understanding each other. That's how your father showed his love to me. He understood me, especially in the rough moments."
"What happened between you and father?" 
The question slips from my lips, my curiosity finally finding its voice. For so long, their story has been shrouded in secrecy. A chapter of their lives kept hidden from us, even from Carmienne. It's a mystery that has always lingered. A puzzle piece I've yearned to uncover.
Her fingers brush through my hair in a tender gesture, a mother's touch laden with memories. "Lucius is a loyal husband," she begins. Her voice tinged with both warmth and a hint of nostalgia. There was a subtle but undeniable trace of a smile gracing her lips. "We entered marriage out of love, and it was that love that brought Carmienne into our lives. I loved him deeply, but our journey hit a rocky road when his past resurfaced."
First love, she meant? 
"She was infatuated with your father, consumed by a love that had never truly faded," she continues, her gaze distant as she recounts the past. "It shook our marriage to its core, and my lack of trust led me to a grave mistake. One night, in the throes of alcohol, I found myself with Dominic. It was a one-night stand."
"M-mom..." My voice catches in my throat. Surprised. Overwhelmed. 
Human flaws can weave through our lives. Her confession unveils a layer of vulnerability I've never seen before, reminding me that even the strongest bonds can be tested and strained by the weight of past choices.
A poignant realization settled within me. The weight of her confession held my attention. Each word carrying the weight of the choices she had grappled with.
"When I was pregnant with you," she continued, her voice a mixture of reflection and vulnerability, "I began to see the truth of our situation. It was a turning point, a moment when Lucius and I found a way to mend our fractured bond. Dominic had departed without any knowledge of the child growing within me."
A sense of incredulity washed over me. "He had no idea that I was born?" I asked. My voice tinged with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. Her nod confirmed the truth of her words. A heavy silence hung in the air as she revealed a truth that carried a weight beyond measure. 
"I was consumed by shame and regret," she confessed, her gaze momentarily dropping before meeting mine once more. "At one point, the weight of my actions led me to a dark place. I considered ending it all, both for you and for myself. But Lucius intervened. He insisted that we protect you, that we shield you from the suffering I had brought upon us."
A cascade of emotions swirled in the air. Her voice trembled slightly, the vulnerability in her words casting a somber hue over our conversation. The room seemed to hold its breath, the quietness allowing her words to settle and take root.
"Lucius was consumed by fear." 
Her voice softening as her touch left my hair. The pause that followed felt like a suspended moment. A space where the gravity of her confession hung heavy in the air. It was a reality I had never fully grasped. A journey of healing and love that had unfolded behind closed doors.
"He loved me unconditionally, even in the face of my mistakes." Her words laden with a mixture of gratitude and remorse. "Throughout my pregnancy, he was a pillar of support, fearful that my despair might lead to irreversible actions. His love for me, for us, was unwavering."
I felt a lump form in my throat. Empathy and understanding welling up within me. Her struggles, her regrets, her journey of redemption. It was a portrait of the human experience, flawed and intricate, yet ultimately driven by the power of love.
Her admission carried a profound weight, revealing the depth of her emotions during those trying times. "I put the blame on you," she confessed, voice tinged with regret. "In my shame and self-condemnation, I projected my own guilt onto you. It was an unfair burden to bear, and I apologize for that."
My heart ached at her words. The raw honesty of her confession unraveling a lot of emotions. "Mom," I murmured, my voice carrying a mixture of compassion and understanding. "I can't imagine the pain you've carried all these years.”
Our eyes met. A shared understanding, a moment of forgiveness, and a promise of moving forward with open hearts. Tears welled up in my eyes as her words cut through the air. Her voice trembled. Regret and hope. Each word a testament to the complex emotions that had woven through her heart over the years.
"Mom," I whispered, my voice quivering with a blend of emotion. 
It was as if the walls between us were crumbling. The barriers of hurt and distance slowly eroding. Her vulnerability reached out to me, breaking down the walls I had built.
The room felt heavy with unspoken words. The air was filled with unspoken emotions. I could see the pain etched on her face. The genuine sorrow that emanated from her being. A turning point in our relationship, after misunderstandings and silence.
As I looked into her eyes, I saw a mother yearning for forgiveness, a woman burdened by her own past mistakes. Her confession moved me, compassion surged within. I took a step closer to her, bridging the gap that had kept us apart for so long.
"Mom," I said again, my voice now filled with tenderness and understanding. "I already forgive you. I understand the journey you've walked. The struggles you've faced. We all make mistakes, and it's never too late to mend what's been broken. I want us to heal, to move forward together."
Tears streamed down both our faces, mirroring the shared release of emotions that had long been suppressed. In that moment, connected beyond past pain, with love, forgiveness, and hope for the future.
"I just want to tell you about this... and hoping that you will also accept Dominic as your father," she spoke softly, her voice carrying a mixture of vulnerability and longing. "All he wanted was to look after you from afar."
"I want to meet him, Mom," I replied with curiosity and acceptance, breaking down the walls between us to understand and connect.
"He'll come here to fetch Zian." 
She pulled me close, wrapping her arms around me tightly. I could feel her warmth enveloping me. Our healing journey has just begun. It was a hug that spoke of forgiveness, redemption, and the hope for a brighter chapter in our lives. An embrace that brought hope for love amid future challenges.
"You don't need to prove yourself to me, Sharmienne," her voice held a tenderness that spoke of understanding and acceptance. "I've always seen you trying your best at everything you do just to please me."
A surprised smile tugged at my lips. "You know that?"
"Your husband also noticed that," she uttered. "He even saw the portraits you painted. He always sleeps here." 
My heart skipped a beat at the mention of Denver's quiet presence in my room. His silent observation of my creations was unexpected, but it warmed me to know he witnessed my expressions of love.
"So, don't give up on your husband," she advised. Maternal wisdom spoke deeply. "He knew that deep inside you still love him. You rest for now while I prepare the rest downstairs." 
My mother's words were comforting, and I nodded appreciatively before succumbing to a much-desired state of slumber. As I slowly regained consciousness, the surroundings appeared blurry and surreal. It took me a while to discern that solitude was not my companion. There lay a person next to me, exuding warmth. A tender hand rested on my waist as their breath grazed my neck whilst they snuggled closer.
As I gradually regained consciousness, my senses began to heighten and I suddenly caught a whiff of a familiar scent that made my heart skip a beat. The unmistakable aroma of liquor pervaded the air, and I couldn't help but feel a jumble of emotions ranging from astonishment to worry. 
To my surprise, Denver was lying beside me, his breath softly brushing against my skin as he slept. It was both comforting and unsettling to have him so close after what must have been an eventful night.
As I attempted to shift my position. A wave of warmth and lethargy washed over me, encasing my body in a cocoon-like embrace. In that moment, all I desired was to bask in the sensation of his presence, reveling in the closeness we shared after everything that had happened between us. 
Every fiber of my being seemed to pulse with contentment, as though time itself had slowed down just for us. The world outside faded away as we remained locked in our private cocoon of intimacy and comfort.
"Hubby," I murmured softly. My voice was reduced to a mere whisper, conveying an abundance of emotions and unexpressed sentiments. "I miss calling you that. I miss your warmth. Your kisses." 
My heart racing and my thoughts in turmoil, the words spilled from my lips like a floodgate opened. It was a confession, raw and unfiltered, borne out of the intense emotions surging within me. 
Every word felt like a weight lifted off my chest as I finally released the truth that had been weighing me down for so long. It was both terrifying and liberating to reveal such vulnerability, but in that moment, it felt like the only option. I felt a sense of relief wash over me, knowing that I had finally spoken my truth.
“I miss you, Denver.” 
As he slept soundly, his subconscious mind stirred and produced a soft, barely audible sound that resonated deeply within me, evoking an emotional response that pulled at the strings of my heart. 
"M-my wife..." His vulnerability was endearing as he clung to me even in his dreams, revealing a side of him I hadn't seen in a long time. “C-come back, please. D-don't leave me again,” he continued, his voice a mix of pain and longing.
Tears began to well up in my eyes. The sound of his peaceful slumber brought back a rush of emotions that I had long tried to suppress. Despite everything that had happened between us, I still cared deeply for the man who had once held my heart.
With trembling fingers, I reached out and gently brushed against his cheeks, and to his jaw, feeling the roughness of his stubble beneath my touch. It was a sensation that I had missed dearly, a familiarity that brought with it a bittersweet ache to my chest.
Memories flooded back to me as I sat there beside him, lost in thought. I remembered all the times we had shared together. Both good and bad. The laughter and joy we had experienced, as well as the pain and heartbreak.
As I watched him sleep peacefully before me, all those memories came rushing back in full force. And despite everything that had happened between us, I felt empathy and affection for a man who was once important to me. Time froze as I sat by him, lost in thought. 
"It must have been hard for you too." I soothed our shared, silent agony with a whisper. "I'm sorry, hubby," I whispered, pledge to reconcile. Traverse past. Rediscover path to embrace.
I reached for his lips, as gentle touch speaks volumes. As I leaned in and felt the softness of his lips against mine. A wave of familiarity washed over me. It was as if I had been waiting for this moment for years, and my body responded with an undeniable yearning. 
With each beat of my heart, I could feel the rhythm of the kiss intensify, as though our very souls were reconnecting through this simple act. The feeling was intense and nostalgic, leaving me wanting more.
My lips moved against his, a gentle nibble on his lower lip that seemed to draw a reaction from him. He tightened his grip on the arm that hung from my waist and drew me nearer to him. The sensation sent shivers down my spine and ignited a fire within me that I thought had been extinguished for a long time.
 “Hmm…” He mumbled against my lips. His voice thick with surprise and longing. He whispered in a voice that was tinged with relief and longing. "It’s really you…"
"Denver…" 
His name evokes strong emotions, from love and joy to sadness and heartache. Each syllable is significant, reminding me of our connection and his impact on my life. It brings comfort in tough times and excitement in happy moments, marking someone special in my heart.
And then, in the stillness of the moment, his lips moved again. “M-my wife...” His voice a velvety whisper that brushed against my skin, leaving trails of warmth in its wake. His arm held me close. His touch grounding me as his words danced upon my senses.
 “M-my wife. My lovely wife," he said, his voice echoing through the air and penetrating deeply into my heart. “I love you.”