ReinaThe moment Ethan told me about Japan, my heart sank. I thought I was finally getting somewhere, that I was settling down and growing in my career in this new country that I found myself in. And now, he wanted us to relocate. Again?I sat in the bedroom, staring at my phone, the conversation with Ethan replaying in my head. My fingers traced the edge of my coffee cup on my side table and I felt weak, as I tried to process his words. I didn’t want to admit it, but a part of me felt betrayed. How could he even think about this?I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing thoughts inside of me. Maybe I was overreacting. Maybe he was right, and we should at least consider it. But… What about everything I had worked for? What about Andrew’s new school? What about me?This was definitely going to take a huge troll on all of us or is it that he didn't think about all thatmMy phone buzzed, snapping me out of my thoughts. It was a text from Leonard.“Dinner tomorrow? Let me know
ReinaI could not hold it in anymore no matter how hard I tried. If I laid down to sleep, the same thought about relocating to Japan kept creeping in. I knew Ethan was excited about the opportunity that he had gotten. This was a possibility and a chance of getting something bigger. But, I could not pretend that I wanted this. As I stood in front of the mirror, brushing my hair absentmindedly, I rehearsed what I would say to him. My stomach felt like it was tied in knots. How could I tell the man I loved that I was not ready to relocate at this point in my life?The door to our bedroom creaked open, and I saw Ethan’s reflection in the mirror. He looked tired, his tie loosened around his neck, and his eyes was dim with so much tiredness. “Hey,” he said softly, coming up behind me. He pressed a kiss to my shoulder as his hands settled on my waist. “You look beautiful.”“Thanks,” I responded. I turned around to face him, leaning against the dresser. I took a deep breath, my heart
Reina’sI stared at my reflection in the mirror, feeling a little conflicted within myself. It had been days since my conversation with Ethan about his decision of us relocating to Japan.Ever since then, things between us have become so cold. He had barely spoken to me since, and I could not shake the feeling that we were drifting apart again. For the utmost time. I was genuinely tired of everything that was playing out. Maybe that’s why I have not completely shut Leonard down. I bit my lip, remembering the last time I saw him. His eyes were always so intense, so filled with admiration, and it felt good, too good. I don't think Ethan had looked at me like that in a long time. Not since we moved to this new country. Not since he became consumed with his work. I knew I should not let Leonard’s attention get to me, but part of me craved it.The buzz of my phone interrupted my thoughts and I glanced down at the screen, and there it was a text from Leonard. It was as if he knew tha
ReinaThe next few days felt like walking on a very thin ice which was going to break soon. Every time I glanced at my phone, I half expected to see another message from Leonard. Part of me dreaded it, but another part… well, I could not lie to myself. A small part of me wondered what he would say next. It was safe no say that I always anticipated his text nowadays and now, He hasn't texted since that night at the dinner. Well, maybe that was for the best. I would not know. I kept myself busy, throwing myself into work and spending more time with Andrew. Ethan was still focused on his business, and after his brief trip out of the country, he seemed even more distant to me and he didn't seem to care about me. I had refused to tell him about Leonard lingering advances anymore. I would do whatever I wanted to do. I told myself I was protecting him, but deep down, I knew it was more than that.I was protecting myself.It was late afternoon, and the house was quiet. Andrew was at a
ReinaLeonard’s message still occupied my heart and I could not get over what I had just read from him. I had barely slept and I was tossing and turning as my thoughts spiraled inside of me. The sunlight shone through the window, but I couldn’t find any peace in it. I knew what I had to do. I sat up, glancing at Ethan’s side of the bed. He was already gone, as usual, leaving early for another busy day. I could not remember the last time we had had breakfast together. Our lives felt like they were running on parallel tracks, barely intersecting.This has gone from bad to worse and I hated it.I needed to talk to him. Tell him the truth. But the fear of what that conversation might unleash kept me frozen. What if he didn’t trust me anymore? What if it made things even worse?I shook off the thought. No more avoiding it. Today was the day.Andrew was still asleep, so I went downstairs, making myself a cup of coffee to help me think properly. My phone buzzed on the counter, and slow
Ethan I stood by the window, staring out at the city that had become our home, but my mind was far away. My mind was in Japan. The word felt like it was stuck in my head, echoing over and over again. I rubbed my temples, trying to shake off the pressure building inside me. The offer was still fresh in my mind. It was too good to ignore, too impossible to walk away from.The man at the meeting had not even blinked when he laid the terms out. A multi-million-dollar deal, a fresh start, everything I had ever worked for within my grasp. All I had to do was relocate my family to Japan, and it was mine. But Reina...She had made it clear. She didn’t want to move. She was settling in here, building her career, making waves in the fashion world.I could see the light in her eyes every time she talked about her latest projects, the way she was finally coming into her own. And Andrew, he was getting used to school, making friends. They were happy here. But me? I was restless. I was so res
I sat on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the wall. My heart felt like it was being squeezed, and I could not breathe right. Ethan’s words never left my mind even for a second. I was stressed and now. All I could think of was Ethan going to Japan alone.It was my fear. But can he actually think of that?After everything we had been through to settle here, to build something stable for Andrew? And me? And us?I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to make sense of it all. I didn’t want to be angry, but I could not help it. How could he think that money, no matter how much, was worth tearing our family apart? I knew Ethan was ambitious. He had always been but this felt different. It felt like he was willing to leave us behind for an attractive opportunity used to lure him in. One thing I could not quite understand was his sudden interest in that. We were far from being poor so it was disgusting that he still wanted more. I sighed heavily, reaching for my phone on the bedsi
Reina It was late, past midnight. The house was unusually quiet, with only the faint hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen breaking the stillness. I could not sleep. My mind kept circling back to the conversation Ethan and I had earlier. It felt unfinished, like we were stuck at a crossroads, neither of us willing to move forward, but also not ready to back down.I decided to get up and get some water. As I walked toward the kitchen, I heard faint noises coming from our bedroom. My steps slowed, and I strained my ears to listen. It was the unmistakable sound of drawers being opened and closed.Filled with so much curiosity, I turned back and headed toward our room. I pushed the door open gently, not wanting to make a sound. The sight that awaited me made my heart drop.Ethan was standing by the wardrobe, pulling out clothes and laying them on the bed. His suitcase was open, half-packed, with his shirts neatly folded on one side. I froze at the door, trying to make sense of what
Reina “Do you want a new car? Or a new apartment?” Ethan teased. “Anyone, my love. A Lamborghini won't be bad, you know.” I turned to face him, and there it was, the smile I had come to know and love over the years. It was the smile that had carried me through the darkest days, the one that had reassured me when I didn’t know how to move forward. The evening was calm and beautiful qne Andrew was at a friend’s house for a sleepover, and Ethan and I were alone for the first time in a while. Alone, but not lonely. We were never lonely when we had ourselves. “I’m looking,” I said softly, walking toward him. “And I see a family that’s been through hell and back, and yet we still survived it.” Ethan reached out to pull me into his arms and held me tight as if he was scared to let me go. “We have always been strong. It was just a matter of time before we realized it.” I rested my head on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. This was home. This was everything
Reina It was a morning like any other, except it wasn’t. I had just received the news I had been waiting for, hoping for, but still uncertain if it would ever come true. I had gotten another job. It was a job that would challenge me, push me out of my comfort zone, and finally allow me to make a real name for myself in the world I had always longed to be part of. As I stood in the kitchen, staring at the email, I could not stop the tears that filled my eyes. I had worked so hard for this moment, and now that it was here, I was overwhelmed with gratitude and disbelief. “Reina? What’s wrong?” Ethan asked, stepping into the room. His voice was soft, and his concern was evident in his eyes. I couldn’t speak at first, so I just handed him my phone, pointing to the email. He took it from me, his eyes scanning the screen. His face lit up as he read the words. “Wait… you got it? You really got it?” I nodded, my throat tight. “Yes. It’s real, Ethan. They offered me the position. I t
Reina The day had finally come. The day I had been both dreading and hoping for. The day Ethan and I would renew our vows. I had spent so much time imagining what it would feel like, but now that the moment was here, I was filled with excitement and a little nervousness. After everything we had been through, I was not sure how I would feel standing up in front of our friends and family, saying the same vows we made years ago. But this time, I was going to say them with more meaning, more depth, and more love than I ever had before. Ethan had gone above and beyond to make this day perfect, and I had already walked into the garden where it would all happen. It looked like a dream. “Mommy, you look beautiful!” Andrew said, his eyes wide with admiration as he helped me adjust my dress. I laughed softly. “Thank you, baby. You look very handsome too.” He beamed in his little tuxedo, looking just like his father. When Ethan walked in to check on me, I could not help but smil
: A New Beginning (Ethan POV) --- I never thought I’d feel this nervous again. The last time I felt anything close to this was the first time I asked Reina out. But now, standing in our living room with the small box in my pocket, I felt like a teenager unsure if the girl would say yes. Andrew was asleep in his room, and Reina was curled up on the couch, reading a book. Her hair was loosely tied back, and she was wearing one of my old sweatshirts. She looked so comfortable, so at peace, and for a moment, I just stood there, watching her. “Why are you staring at me like that?” she asked, not even looking up from her book. I chuckled nervously. “Do I need a reason to stare at my wife?” She finally looked up, raising an eyebrow. “No, but it’s weird when you’re just standing there silently. What’s going on?” I took a deep breath and walked over, sitting beside her. “Reina, can we talk?” She frowned, closing her book. “Is something wrong?” “No, nothing’s wrong,” I assured her. “In
Ethan “ A therapist? We are going to see a therapist, Ethan?” Reina blurted out and I had to calm her down that it's for the better. “Yes. I made that decision and I have already paid for a session. It is a good thing and I think our marriage will get better.” “Oh dear. I'm just scared.” *** Sitting across from Reina in the therapist’s office felt a little weird and I was trying to keep up. This was the first time we had actually met with a therapist about us. The therapist, a calm woman in her mid-50s named Dr. Laura smiled gently at us. “Thank you for coming today. The first step to healing is often the hardest, so I commend you both for being here.” I glanced at Reina, who gave me a small, nervous smile. “We are ready,” I said, squeezing her hand. “Good. Why don’t we start with why you’re here? What made you decide to seek therapy now?” Dr. Laura asked. I looked at Reina, silently asking if she wanted to go first. She nodded and took a deep breath. “I think we h
Reina Evans was at my house again. This time, I was very convinced that he had something off his sleeves. How can someone who I haven't seen in years suddenly show up in the new country where I relocated to? Has he been stalking me all these years? Evans stood at the door, his hands shoved in his pockets, and today he looked so confident in himself. But, I was here to destroy whatever confidence he had. I had hoped I would see the last of him after his first visit, but here he was again, uninvited and unwelcome. “What are you doing here again, Evans? Haven't I told you that I don't want you around me?” I thundered and my pulse was racing. “I needed to talk to you,” he responded calmly, despite my raging anger. “I don’t think we got to finish our conversation the last time.” “There’s nothing left to talk about,” I said, stepping out onto the porch and closing the door behind me. I didn’t want Ethan or Andrew overhearing any of this. “Reina, please,” he said, his eyes pleadin
Ethan I didn’t know where I was driving. I just needed to get out of the house. My hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, my mind racing with thoughts of Reina, Evans, and everything that had gone wrong. Evans. Just hearing his name made my blood boil. The nerve of him to show up out of nowhere, to text me like he was some concerned friend. And Reina, why hadn’t she told me right away? She keeps doing things like this and it pisses me off. She of all people knows that something like this was the cause of our problem sometime ago. I pulled into an empty parking lot and turned off the engine. When I finally walked back into the house hours later, the living room was dimly lit, and Reina was sitting on the couch, her knees pulled up to her chest. She looked up as I entered, her eyes red and puffy. “You are back,” she said softly. I didn’t answer, dropping my keys on the table and heading for the kitchen. “Ethan,” she called after me with her voice trembling. I paused, leani
ReinaI was wiping down the kitchen counter when the doorbell rang. Andrew was upstairs, resting after a long day of physical therapy, and Ethan had stepped out to pick up a few things from the store.It was odd for someone to come by unannounced, especially at this hour. I wiped my hands on a towel and I headed for the door to check who was there. I was so curious and at the same time cautious that I checked the security camera three times. When I opened it, my heart stopped. I thought I was dreaming or something. “Evans,” I whispered, gripping the doorframe right. He was standing there, looking exactly as I remembered him. He was quite tall, with those piercing blue eyes and well shaved beards. But seeing him now didn’t fill me with the same warmth it once did. Instead, it felt like a bucket of cold water had been splashed over me.“Reina,” he said, his voice soft but steady. “I hope I’m not intruding.”“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended. He w
Ethan “Our anniversary was tomorrow?!” That was my exact reaction when I checked the calendar and I saw that I had long forgotten the date of our anniversary . An idea had come to me while sitting in the car, waiting for Reina to return from the grocery store. Our anniversary was tomorrow, and I wanted to do something special. Something that would remind her of the good times we had shared before everything got complicated.I had been racking my brain all week, trying to come up with the perfect plan. Reina deserved something meaningful, something that was not just flowers and a card. She needed to see how much she meant to me.“Okay, Ethan,” I muttered to myself as I parked in front of the house. “You will get our way around this.”The plan was simple yet heartfelt. I was planning a surprise dinner at the place where we had had our first official date before we got married. It was not the fanciest restaurant, but it held a special place in our hearts. I had reserved a private cor