That night, they apologized without conditions. For the secrets, the silence, the distance. For letting stress and longing wedge space between them. And in that quiet, late-hour living room, they made a quiet vow—not to be perfect, but to stay open. To speak up before the silence grew sharp.
Weeks later, on their anniversary, Connor took Julia to a candle-lit dinner at a five-star restaurant overlooking the city skyline. She wore a black dress and the perfume he had made just for her. As he poured her wine, she smiled at him—calm, grateful, and for the first time in months, at peace.