The silence in the car was thick, heavy with everything left unsaid. You stared out the window, pretending to watch the world blur by, but your eyes kept flickering to Emmanuel—just quick peeks, catching his profile, the calm set of his jaw.
He didn't speak. Didn't pry.
But every so often, he'd glance at you through the rearview mirror—soft, knowing. Like he could see right through your silence.
And somehow… that made it worse.
Because for the first time since Marcus walked back into your life—you weren't alone in carrying it.
Emmanuel's voice broke the silence, low and careful. "So… what's between you and *him*?"
He didn't say Marcus's name—just *him*, like he already knew the weight it carried.
You turned from the window, heart thudding. The question hung in the air, simple but deep.
And for a moment, you let yourself consider telling him everything—the marriage, the collapse, the way it still aches like an old injury on rainy days.
But all you whispered was:
"…A past I thought I'd buried."
Emmanuel just nodded slowly… then reached over and gently squeezed your hand.
No words. Just warmth.
And somehow—that hurt more than anything Marcus ever did.
The unexpected compliment took you by surprise. Emmanuel's voice was soft, genuine when he said, "You know… you look more beautiful than I ever remember. More than Lisa too."
You almost laughed at the unexpected assessment. You felt far from beautiful. Tired, wounded, still healing from a past you couldn't escape. But Emmanuel looked right at you like he could see through all that.
And maybe… he could.
You swallowed, trying to play it off.
"I doubt that," you said, attempting a light tone.
Emmanuel's smile was sympathetic but knowing, as he said, "Marcus was a jerk for leaving you like that. You deserved better."
The sentiment was kind, but hearing it stirred up a mix of emotions. Surprise, first, that he knew you were once married to Marcus. And then a pang, remembering how it had ended.
You tried to push it aside, replying with a tight smile, "Let's not talk about him, please."
Finally I arrived at home....