LOGINSophia’s eyes dropped the slightest; she looked like she’d rather be doing anything else than having this conversation. In that moment, the worst truth sank in, and Alex slowly realized that he could plead, or even beg, but nothing would reach her if she refused to meet him halfway. That thought left him empty, almost ghostlike; he felt like a man pleading for the love he wasn't sure he had the right to claim. “Please, can you just spare me five minutes? Let's talk. I can’t—” A rough breath escaped his lips, and Sophia saw right through the tension in his shoulders. He continued, “I really can't bear this silence between us. And it feels like I'm being slammed right across my chest every time you look away from me or hold back the conversation we need to have. I really can't bear it.” There was a tired pull to his mouth, a crease between his brows that hadn’t left since they got home, and something defeated in his eyes. He looked like someone holding himself together out of shee
They arrived home late; the sun was dipping into the horizon already, and both kids were fast asleep. Sophia stepped out as soon as Alex pulled the car to a stop. She reached for the back door and was just about to wake them up when Alex spoke out, “I can carry them instead.” He stepped out of the car, pulling the other door open, and reached for Aiden first, lifting him in one arm. It was difficult to lean further and reach for Addie, so Sophia carried her. She intended on carrying Addie herself, but Alex walked round the car and leaned closer to her, leaving an arm open for Addie. “Are you sure you can lift both of them?” Alex wanted to chuckle at the look of worry on her face, which he wasn't sure whether it was worry for him or fear that the kids might fall off his hand. He glanced down at her. Holding her gaze. Sophia’s gaze didn't falter either, and that was the first time she was clearly looking at him since they left the park. The words they both wanted to say bu
Aiden, who had been completely quiet since, glanced up at his father before staring down at his mother, who had her face buried in the task of packing up their things. “Mom, aren’t we visiting the dentist anymore?” Alex’s gaze flickered to Aiden, then to Sophia, who still hadn’t looked at him once since Alice left. “We are,” she said to their son, her tone soft but dry, as if all her warmth had been tucked away somewhere unreachable. She closed the basket, lifted it, and started toward the car without waiting for him. Alex ran a hand over his jaw, forcing his feet to move. The need to explain pressed hard against his chest, but the way she walked away told him she wouldn’t hear a word. He followed them to the car. Sophia got the twins settled, her hands moving quickly, her voice even. She didn’t glance in his direction once. The drive to the dentist’s office was quiet, except for the twins chatting in the back. He kept his hands tight on the steering wheel, his mind stuck on the
Sophia's heart dropped to her stomach, and a sickly feeling climbed up her throat. She tried to take a deep breath, but the ache in her chest was too loud to bear.Her gaze dropped to Eli and then shifted back to Alice. They had the same hair, exactly the same shade of blonde. One could tell with just a glance that Alice was indeed Eli’s mom.And at that moment, everything seemed to fall in place. No wonder she felt Eli's eyes seemed familiar. Her mind hadn't been playing tricks on her, and the nagging feeling that had prickled her skin the moment she saw Eli’s eyes was not just because his eyes were familiar to Alex’s eyes.It was because she had already thought of the possibility.A deep breath escaped her lips, and she tried to remain calm despite the feeling of nausea that suddenly climbed her throat.Sophia knew she had to speak or say something to cover the silence, but at that moment words failed her. She simply couldn't utter a word.She hated the fact that her presumptions we
The event slowly came to an end after Aiden and Eli had paired up and gotten a prize for winning an obstacle course with hurdle jumps. An announcement came over the loudspeaker, signaling the fair's final hour. And the last minutes of the event were supposed to be spent relaxing. Everyone was supposed to find a spot to sit around with their family. Families started gathering under trees, laying out blankets, and unpacking snacks. Sophia led the kids to a spot beneath a wide oak tree, the ground beneath covered in thick grass. They sat, wind-down tired but happy. Laughter still bubbled from Addie now and then she talked about Alex’s dramatic dunk tank fall and also how Aiden absolutely devoured every pie in the pie-eating contest despite rejecting the invitation to join at first. Aiden shrugged. “Well. It was a bit fun.” Anyone who knew Aiden would also know that what he said was a big compliment for the event and that he actually had fun. Sophia settled beside Alex on the mat
The afternoon drifted slowly, and there were a lot of events to keep every single one of them busy. They played game after game, darted between stalls, and collected an embarrassing number of prize tickets that no one quite knew what to do with. At one point, Alex found himself standing on a water tank, arms folded, glaring playfully down at the children and Sophia, who were quietly laughing at him. Beside him there were a couple of other fathers who were in the same situation. “Please tell me Addie would at least get the giant stuffed panda and that I didn’t just get soaked for nothing.” At the same time he said so, one of the volunteers in orange walked over to them and handed them a big white giant stuffed panda. “That throw was magnificent. Where did you learn that, Adeline?” The female volunteer asked. Addie smiled proudly, and her gaze darted to her father; they both shared a look, and then she said, “It’s a secret.” This made the young lady smile warmly. Sophia collect







