‎國 ‎ ‎ ‎. ❴‎ ‎ ‎J𝗲𝗼𝗻 ‎ ❵

They had made an agreement. In front of the children, the distance that currently existed would disappear, revealing the fortunate relationship they once had.

By day they were a close-knit family. But at night, when he would often leave under the pretext of work, even though you knew everything, he would return after two or three hours. And though you tried to hide it, you would scrutinize him. You wanted to believe that the man you had fallen in love with was still there. So devoted, so faithful. But no, he wasn't.

That afternoon, you were preparing dinner while listening to the children tell you about their homework. The oldest was helping you with some things around the house, until the doorbell rang. Two hours late.

I'm here.

You heard his voice and the smile on your face slowly faded. You pressed your lips together and continued what you were doing, listening as the children greeted him, feeling his footsteps coming towards you.

Without turning around, you felt one of his hands on your waist and he leaned in to try and kiss your lips, but you pulled away abruptly, using the excuse of asking the little girl for something. Turning your head, you stopped when you saw a necklace around the older boy's neck. It had an initial on it. Not yours, nor one of the children's. In that instant, you felt something in your heart break. The only pieces that were still connected. You felt a deep pain in your chest, and a lump in your throat, as you looked up to meet his eyes. The almost innocent smile on his lips.

They had made an agreement. In front of the children, the distance that currently existed would disappear, revealing the fortunate relationship they once had.

By day they were a close-knit family. But at night, when he would often leave under the pretext of work, even though you knew everything, he would return after two or three hours. And though you tried to hide it, you would scrutinize him. You wanted to believe that the man you had fallen in love with was still there. So devoted, so faithful. But no, he wasn't.

That afternoon, you were preparing dinner while listening to the children tell you about their homework. The oldest was helping you with some things around the house, until the doorbell rang. Two hours late.

I'm here.

You heard his voice and the smile on your face slowly faded. You pressed your lips together and continued what you were doing, listening as the children greeted him, feeling his footsteps coming towards you.

Without turning around, you felt one of his hands on your waist and he leaned in to try and kiss your lips, but you pulled away abruptly, using the excuse of asking the little girl for something. Turning your head, you stopped when you saw a necklace around the older boy's neck. It had an initial on it. Not yours, nor one of the children's. In that instant, you felt something in your heart break. The only pieces that were still connected. You felt a deep pain in your chest, and a lump in your throat, as you looked up to meet his eyes. The almost innocent smile on his lips.