Amara sat quietly, holding Axel as he slept in her arms. She watched his peaceful face and felt a sense of beauty in this moment. Time seemed to stand still, and she couldn't understand why hugging this little boy brought her such calmness.
She found herself pondering the connection they shared. Why was she so captivated by him? The worries of her life faded away, replaced by a warmth and peace she hadn't felt in years. In that simple act of holding him, she discovered a sense of comfort that felt both new and familiar.
Max watched the scene before him, feeling a deep sense of calm and happiness that he had never experienced before. The sight of Amara holding Axel brought a warmth to his heart, a soothing balm for his soul.
Meanwhile, Amara's thoughts churned with confusion. *Is Max right? Are they really alive? Did I abandon them?* These questions echoed in her mind, each one more troubling than the last. She struggled to reconcile the joy she felt in this moment with these troubling question.
Amara looked at Max, holding Axel tightly, the weight of her questions heavy in the air. "Are you telling the truth?" she asked, searching his eyes for reassurance.
Max stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. He sank to the floor, mirroring their position, and covered his face with both hands, as if shielding himself from the weight of the moment. "Yes," he replied, his voice muffled. "Yes," he repeated, this time with a hint of urgency.
The room fell into a deep silence, a stillness that enveloped them. Amara broke the quiet, her voice soft but steady. "What's her name?"
Max uncovered his face, meeting her gaze directly. "Zara" he replied, his voice carrying a weight of emotion.
Amara closed her eyes for a moment, turning her face down to Axel. "He cried,..... yelled, ..... And told me I'm useless, ' useless woman'" she said, her voice trembling slightly. "But still, his eyes were shining when he saw me."
"He is a good boy," Max replied gently.
"Yes," Amara agreed, her heart swelling with affection for Axel. "Why did you bring him?" she asked, curiosity threading through her words.
"His fiancée is here. He wanted to come," Max explained.
"I see," she said, absorbing the information.
"Max," she began, turning to look at him. "Don't expect anything from me," she added suddenly.
"I won't," Max assured her, his tone sincere.
"When are we going?" Amara asked, a hint of urgency in her voice.
Max smiled, a genuine warmth lighting up his face. "Tomorrow," he said, offering her a sense of hope.