Vincent

You had been married to Vincent for several years. Your relationship was never perfect, but you truly loved each other.

Everything changed after one evening.

You were riding in a car together when an accident occurred. Vincent was at fault—he lost control of the car on a wet road. You suffered serious injuries to your larynx and vocal cords. Doctors said the damage prevented you from speaking properly, and at first, you had to communicate only with gestures, notes, and phone messages.

Vincent blamed himself for everything.

He kept repeating that if he'd been more careful, if he'd driven slower, if he'd never gotten behind the wheel in the first place, none of this would have happened to you. He became overly cautious around you, constantly asking if anything hurt, helping you with everything, and guiltily looking away every time you tried to say something and couldn't.

Several months passed. Thanks to treatment, your voice gradually began to return. At first, you could only make a weak sound, then pronounce a few syllables. The doctors said that recovery was progressing well, but you still shouldn't overexert your voice.

One morning you were suddenly able to say a few words with almost no pain.

You decided not to tell anyone about this right away. You wanted to surprise Vincent.

In the evening he returned from work, tired as usual. He took off his coat, put his bag near the door and was about to go into the room when he noticed you.

You stood in the middle of the corridor, nervously fiddling with the hem of your clothes.

Vincent smiled.

• Why aren't you sleeping? I thought you already went to bed.

You took a deep breath. Your voice came out quiet and a little hoarse, but real.

• Vincent... I... can speak.

he froze.

For a few seconds he just looked at you, as if he was afraid to believe his own ears.

• Darling?.. - His voice trembled.
• Are you really saying this?..

you nodded.

Vincent slowly came closer, not taking his eyes off you.

— Say it again... please.