Writing
Chapter : The Comfort of Staying
The night sky was dark and gloom just like Anita
People had different ways of coping after life-changing revelations.
Some cried.
Some shut themselves inside their rooms.
Others buried themselves in work.
Anita was different.
While everyone downstairs was still trying to process everything she had confessed, Anita simply stood on the second-floor balcony beside Joy, allowing the cool night breeze to brush against her face.
The estate was unusually quiet.
Garden lights illuminated the neatly trimmed hedges below, while the fountain in the center of the courtyard produced a gentle stream of water that eased the heavy silence. Above them, countless stars decorated the dark sky as the moonlight bathed the mansion in a peaceful glow.
Neither woman spoke.
There was nothing left to say.
From where they stood, Thomas could be seen returning through the front gate after taking a long walk around the estate.
Joy's shoulders visibly relaxed.
She had been worried.
After Anita revealed the truth surrounding John Bello, Master Thomas had quietly left the mansion without saying a word.
That silence had frightened Joy more than anger ever could.
It reminded her too much of her own past.
Years ago, her husband had walked out after discovering that she had once considered leaving him because of the hardships they were facing. He never returned.
Ever since then, Joy had silently feared seeing another family break apart.
Throughout the evening she had secretly prayed that Thomas would come back.
Now...
Seeing him walk toward the mansion with his usual calm steps made her eyes redden slightly with relief.
She smiled.
"Madam..."
Joy spoke gently.
"Master Thomas has returned."
"The night air is becoming colder. Please come inside before you catch a cold."
Anita slowly nodded.
From the outside, her expression remained composed.
Only she knew how violently her heart had been beating ever since Thomas left.
She had imagined countless outcomes.
Would he hate her?
Would he regret marrying her?
Would he stop speaking to her?
She had prepared herself for every painful possibility.
Together, the two women quietly walked back inside.
"I'll ask the kitchen to warm your dinner."
Joy smiled softly before hurrying downstairs, leaving Anita alone.
The bedroom felt unusually silent.
Warm yellow lights reflected softly across the polished wooden floor. Their wedding photograph rested peacefully above the headboard, reminding Anita of the countless years they had spent building a family together.
She sat quietly on the edge of the bed.
Her hands rested neatly on her lap.
Her breathing was calm.
Only her trembling fingers betrayed her emotions.
A few moments later...
The bedroom door opened.
Thomas stepped inside.
He had changed into comfortable home clothes after washing his face downstairs. His expression remained composed, carrying only a hint of fatigue from the long day.
Their eyes met.
For several seconds...
Neither of them spoke.
Thomas slowly walked closer before sitting beside her.
"I came back late."
His voice remained as gentle as ever.
"You must have waited."
Anita shook her head lightly.
"Not at all."
Her answer was brief.
Thomas smiled faintly.
He knew she was lying.
Not because she wanted to deceive him...
But because she was afraid.
Another quiet silence settled between them.
Finally, Thomas sighed softly.
"I've been thinking since I left."
Anita unconsciously tightened her fingers.
She lowered her gaze.
"I won't pretend I wasn't surprised."
He admitted honestly.
"I was."
His voice remained steady.
"But surprise isn't the same as blame."
Anita slowly looked up.
Thomas met her eyes with the same warmth she had known for decades.
"I don't blame you."
Those words instantly dissolved the tension she had been carrying all evening.
"You were carrying this burden long before we met."
"You faced it alone."
"I can't imagine how painful that must have been."
His expression softened.
"What happened cannot be changed."
"But I won't judge you for something you have spent years regretting."
He gently reached over and held her hand.
His palm was warm.
Comforting.
"So..."
"Stop blaming yourself."
"I don't hate you."
"I don't regret marrying you."
"And I'm certainly not leaving you."
A tear escaped Anita's eyes.
She quickly turned her face away, but Thomas had already seen it.
"I'm sorry..."
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"I know."
Thomas answered quietly.
"But you've apologized enough."
"You've carried this guilt by yourself for too many years."
"You don't have to carry it alone anymore."
His thumb gently brushed across the back of her hand.
"We've built too many memories together."
"We've raised our children together."
"We've shared too many happy and painful moments."
"I'm not going to throw all of that away."
Anita's shoulders finally relaxed.
The fear she had hidden all evening slowly disappeared.
For the first time since revealing the truth...
She allowed herself to breathe freely.
After a long silence, she wiped away the corner of her eyes and managed a faint smile.
"You should go and take your bath."
Thomas chuckled softly.
"I will."
He stood up before gently squeezing her shoulder.
As he reached the bathroom door, he paused.
Without turning around, he spoke one last sentence.
"Get some rest."
"And don't worry anymore."
"I'm still your husband."
The bathroom door quietly closed behind him.
Soon, the gentle sound of running water echoed through the room.
Anita remained seated on the bed.
A small smile slowly appeared on her face.
Outside, the cool night breeze continued to rustle the trees beneath the moonlight.
For the first time that night...
The weight pressing against her heart no longer felt impossible to bear.