Kali woke up, sluggishly reaching over to stop her alarm clock before it rang. Well-rested and recovered from the previous day, she sat up, stretching her limbs leisurely. As she usually did, she took some time to pray before slipping her rings on and shuffling into her sandals. When she turned, she was surprised to find Samuel sitting at the foot of the balcony doors.

Unsure, she looked to the bed to confirm his side was empty before looking back at him. It was the first time she had seen him awake so early in the morning, sitting where she usually stood to watch the night sky fade as the day broke through.

"Samuel?"

"Yeah." He responded without shifting his gaze from the skies.

"How long have you been awake?"

"A bit."

"Is something wrong?"

"As usual."

She wrapped her robe tighter around her. "Do you want some company?"

He shrugged, and she rolled her eyes. She joined him on the floor, folding her legs and resting against the door frame. He had been low on spirits since they returned from the resort the previous day. Out of respect, after all she overheard in the dressing room, she thought to give him privacy to process the fight alone. Now, she wanted to help him get some of the weight off his chest.

"What is this about?"

"Flora."

"What about her."

He finally turned away from the sky. "I spoke to Flora yesterday before we left the beach. I tried talking to her, and it hurt to hear her. I know she seems cross, but she isn't a bad person. The anger is making her into someone she is not. Someone vindictive and mean-spirited. It's not who she is. I am making her into someone she isn't."

"It's not your fault."

"Isn't it?"

"Your mother made you leave her; she gave you no way out." Kali scooted closer, resting her hand on his knee. "You both were together for a long time, and you probably preached loyalty and love for all those years. She loves you. She trusted you. She trusted your character, only to have you break her heart. Now she has the love but not the trust, and it's breaking her. She is hurt, but it's a phase. It will pass."

"And if it doesn't pass fast enough? If she continues to grow embittered and spiteful."

"You can try telling her the truth. Save her from the misery of thinking you were cheating on her."

"We've been through this. She-"

"She wouldn't sit back and watch this marriage go on."

"Exactly. If she does anything to arouse my mother's suspicions, which she will, things could go from bad to worse for her."

"Then maybe what she needs is a little nudge. If she believes you rushed into this and there is a chance you still love her, she might be more hopeful than bitter. Then there would be a chance for you two to be together when all this is done."

"When she came to my office, she made it clear that even if we broke up, she wouldn't take me back."

"Of course, she'd say that she is upset. In her heart, she knows she'd jump at the chance to fight for your love. It was the one thing you didn't give her when you broke up with her. A chance to fight for you."

Samuel shook his head. He folded his arms and turned back to look at the stars. "Giving her hope without telling her the truth is cruel. If this goes on for a year, two or more, I'd be dragging her along for the ride."

Samuel was at an impasse, it seemed. He didn't want to tell Flora the truth, afraid she wouldn't keep it to herself. He didn't want to lead her on in case their situation went on for longer than anticipated, and he wasn't ready to lose the woman he loved.

"Your plan can't be to blame yourself all the time. And, surely, you must realise that when the anger subsides and she forgives you, she might move on. You must realise she might fall out of love with you. She might not be there when all this is done."

She wondered if that's what he was doing so early in the morning, thinking of ways he was losing everything he wanted. The woman he wanted, the future he wanted, the life he wanted.

The house had been their dream. Timothy didn't know that, but Samuel knew. He woke up every morning in the house of his dreams but beside the wrong woman. The closet was filled with her clothes, and the bathroom with her own accessories. Her shoes were on the rack, and her jewellery in the drawers of the dressing table. Flora was meant to occupy those spaces.

"What do you want to do?"

"Hell, if I know." She reached out to him, and he took her hand. "She said...she passes by our house every day. I imagine her just staring at it, thinking the worst about me. Thinking that I..."

"Her thinking is wrong. I think she still believes you are not telling her the truth." Kali suspected as much when Flora kept asking why he ended their relationship. Despite her anger, Flora had doubts, and they ran deep. "Whatever she says to you is not what she thinks. It's not the truth."

"I try to remember that. I try to remember that I am not the bad guy in this, but it doesn't stick. You don't know how much it hurts to hear how much I have disappointed her. On purpose or not."

"I can imagine, but you are hurting her to keep her from losing everything else. Like her freedom and that of her father's."

"I guess."

"No guessing." She chastised. "That's what it is. If there is anyone to be guilty and take the blame for all this pain, it's your mother. She did this to Flora and to you. Ruined your relationship and turned your life on its head."

"Not that she cares."

"Who cares that she doesn't? She is still to blame, and you don't need to carry that weight for her." She shook his leg and egged him on until he finally smiled. "How about this, hmm. It's early, but I will make you something delicious to lift your spirits. Some waffles, bacon, pancakes dazzled with honey, tall glass of freshly squeezed pineapple juice, and toast."

He chuckled. "How many times do I have to remind you that you are the foodie here. Not me."

"Well, you are married to me, honey. You will become one." She struggled to her feet, using the door to help her up. "Let me wash the night off my face, and I'll go down to make breakfast. Don't think yourself into a corner while I am gone."

"I'll try."

Kali left him in the room, still sitting by the doors, waltzing into the kitchen to prepare breakfast. She flitted around the kitchen, throwing her ingredients on the counter, trying to make as little noise as possible. Comfort food might not be something Samuel was into, but she hoped that a good meal would at least make things more bearable for him.

Samuel joined her just as she started placing the dishes on the counter. "You are here?"

"The aroma lured me out of the room by my nostrils."

"I am sure it did." She smiled, pleased that he seemed less agitated. She placed a plate of pancakes on the counter. "Sit. I am almost done."

He climbed up on one of the stools and stole a slice of toast, earning him a stinkeye he proceeded to ignore. Kali set the rest of the dishes down before she took her seat.

"This is for you." Kali passed him a plate of waffles with bacon and eggs on the sides.

"Smells divine."

She glowed at the praise. "Thanks. Dig in."

They were on their second serving when her phone rang, and Samuel picked it up since she was busy pouring him another glass of juice.

"There's no ID."

"Um, can you answer it for me?"

"Hello?" He greeted without missing a bit, listening to the caller while she refilled their glasses. "Yes. This is her husband speaking. How can I help you?"

She set his glass in front of him, watching as his jovial expression morphed into horror.

"Samuel?"

"Where is she?"

"Samuel?"

"We'll be right there, thank you."

"What's going on?"

He jumped off the stool, and she followed. Her heart suddenly felt heavy. "We need to go. It's June."