I trudged upstairs, exhaustion weighing me down after a long day of filming. But as I reached the landing, raised voices halted my steps.
Ani and Clyde were arguing in hushed tones, their words laced with tension.
"...I'm not getting any younger, Clyde. I want kids," Ani said, her voice firm but laced with desperation.
Clyde's response was dismissive, his tone cold.
"I don't want kids, Ani. Drop it."
My brow furrowed, memories flooding my mind.
Clyde had always loved kids.
When we dated, he'd share dreams of having three.
Laughter-filled memories of our future family.
What changed?
Why lie to Ani?
I felt a pang of guilt.
Was I partly to blame?
Their argument continued, Ani's frustration growing.
"Clyde, what's going on? You're always distant. Is everything okay?"
Clyde's tone turned colder.
"Nothing's going on, Ani. Just drop it."
The conversation died, the silence more unsettling than the argument.
I retreated to my room, my mind reeling.
Tension lingered.
Questions swirled.
Why did Clyde marry Ani if he didn't want kids?
Was their marriage a sham?
Had Clyde changed, or was he hiding his true self?
Memories of our past haunted me.
Clyde's whispers.
"I love you, Dahlia."
His eyes.
Full of longing.
Did he still love me?
Did he ever truly love Ani?
My thoughts tormented me.
Sleep eluded me.
The next day, I noticed Ani's somber mood.
Her smile was gone.
Eyes dimmed.
But I didn't pry.
Instead, I decided to visit Aunt Sophie and Uncle Jack.
Their warmth always soothed me.
After Mom and Dad's tragic passing, they'd taken us in.
Loved us like their own.
Their struggles with infertility had made their love for us even stronger.
And now, they'd finally adopted a little bundle of joy.
Rhodes.
Their adorable six-year-old son.
As I arrived, Rhodes flung himself into my arms.
"Auntie Dahlia!"
Sophie and Jack beamed.
We spent the afternoon laughing, sharing stories.
Sophie noticed my distraction.
"Dahlia, everything okay?"
I hesitated.
"Just tired, Aunt Sophie."
She knew better.
But didn't press.
Over dinner, Jack asked about Ani and Clyde.
"How's the newlywed life treating them?"
I shrugged.
"Seems fine, I guess."
Sophie exchanged a knowing glance with Jack.
"We're always here for you, sweetie," she said.
"...And Ani, too."
Their unwavering support comforted me.
"Aunt Sophie, I'm happy to help," I said, grinning.
"Thank you, dear," Aunt Sophie replied, visibly relieved. "We need to visit Great-Aunt Margaret in the hospital. She's not doing well, and we want to make sure she's comfortable."
"I'll take care of Rhodes," I promised.
Uncle Jack nodded, his eyes filled with gratitude.
"We'll be back in two days. Rhodes, be good for Auntie Dahlia."
Rhodes squealed, bouncing up and down.
"Yes, Daddy!"
The next two days passed quickly.
Rhodes and I played games, baked cookies, and watched cartoons.
I helped pack up some of their belongings for the trip.
As we settled into a cozy evening routine, Rhodes snuggled close.
Tucking him into bed, I couldn't shake off the feeling.
Ani's sadness.
Clyde's distance.
What was really going on?
As I drifted off to sleep, memories haunted me.
Clyde's whispers.
"I love you, Dahlia."
His eyes.
Full of longing.
Did he still love me?
The next morning, Rhodes and I spent hours playing in the backyard.
Laughter filled the air.
A welcome distraction.
After lunch, Aunt Sophie and Uncle Jack prepared to leave.
"We'll be back soon, sweetie," Aunt Sophie said, hugging Rhodes tight.
"Take care of yourself and Dahlia," Uncle Jack added.
With a final wave, they departed.
Rhodes and I settled into a quiet afternoon.
As evening approached, I realized we needed groceries.
"Rhodes, let's go shopping."
"Yay!" he exclaimed.
We headed out, enjoying the crisp evening air.
As we strolled through the store, Rhodes chattered excitedly.
Life felt normal.
For a moment.