Life, Mia had come to realize, was a series of unexpected twists and turns. After the conversation with Claire, she couldn't shake the feeling that her past wasn't quite done with her yet. The weight of her sister's words lingered, creating a subtle tension she hadn't anticipated. It wasn't that she had forgiven Claire, not yet anyway. But part of her wondered if she ever would, and if that was something she even needed to do.
The next few days felt like an emotional rollercoaster. Adrian, in his attempt to keep their home in harmony, made an extra effort to spend time with her and the boys. They did simple things, like going for walks or watching movies together, but it was the quiet moments, the conversations that lasted into the night, that Mia found most healing. Adrian seemed more aware of her needs, and she appreciated the effort, but there were still days when the unease within her would return.
One evening, after dinner, Adrian suggested they go for a drive. They hadn't done it in months, and Mia welcomed the idea. It felt like a step back to simpler times, when their lives hadn't been defined by complications and uncertainties.
As they cruised down the highway, the city lights twinkling in the distance, Mia felt a familiar peace settle over her. Adrian reached over, taking her hand in his, his fingers brushing lightly over hers. It was a small gesture, but it spoke volumes.
"I've been thinking about everything," Mia said softly, her eyes on the road ahead. "About us. About the future."
Adrian turned his head toward her, his expression attentive. "What's on your mind?"
Mia swallowed before continuing. "I know I've been distant too. I've been holding onto a lot of things. I think part of me was afraid of getting too close to you again, of falling back into something I couldn't control."
Adrian's grip tightened slightly around her hand. "You don't have to be afraid, Mia. Whatever we've been through, we've come out stronger. We're a team, remember?"
Mia smiled, the weight of his words settling over her like a warm blanket. "I remember. But it's more than just us. It's the fear of what could come next. I'm scared of falling back into old patterns, of losing myself again."
Adrian's voice softened, and he brought their joined hands to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to her fingers. "You won't lose yourself, Mia. I won't let that happen. I want you to be the best version of yourself, with me, with the boys. I want us all to be happy, to heal together."
The sincerity in his words struck her, and for the first time in a long time, she felt truly heard. There was no rush, no pressure to be perfect. They could take things slow. Together.
---
The days passed, and Mia began to open up more to Adrian. She found herself confiding in him about her fears—about Claire, about the uncertainties in her heart, about how the past was always there, threatening to steal the peace they had worked so hard to find.
Adrian listened, offering reassurance, but also giving her space when she needed it. He never tried to fix her, never suggested she should just move on. Instead, he let her feel, letting her experience her emotions fully. It was something Mia had longed for—someone who wouldn't rush her healing but would stand beside her as she worked through it.
But as the days passed, an unexpected challenge presented itself. Mia was at home one afternoon when she received an alarming message from her old friend, Eliza. The message was short, but its contents were enough to make her stomach churn.
"Mia, I'm so sorry. I need to tell you something about Adrian. It's about his ex."
Mia froze. Her mind raced, her pulse quickened. She had never heard much about Adrian's ex, and the little she did know wasn't enough to form an opinion. But why was Eliza reaching out now? What did she mean by "it's about his ex"?
Adrian had never hidden his past, but there were always things he didn't talk about—the quiet spaces between them, those lingering questions about who he had been before they met. Was this another piece of that puzzle? Was this something that could shake the fragile trust they had built?
Before she could stop herself, she dialed Eliza's number. The phone rang a few times before Eliza answered.
"Mia?" Eliza's voice was tentative. "I know you probably don't want to hear this, but I couldn't keep this from you."
"What's going on, Eliza?" Mia's voice was a mix of concern and fear.
"Eliza, please. I need to know what this is about," Mia said, her voice barely above a whisper.
There was a long pause on the other end of the line before Eliza spoke again. "Adrian's ex is back in town. And she's making waves. I don't know what exactly is going on, but she's trying to get back into his life. I just wanted you to be aware, Mia."
The words hit Mia like a punch to the gut. She didn't know what to think, or even how to react. Adrian had always been so clear about his feelings for her, so why would his ex suddenly be an issue? Why was Eliza bringing this up now?
"Why didn't you tell me this sooner?" Mia's voice was shaky, the uncertainty of it all creeping in.
"I didn't want to cause trouble," Eliza said quietly. "But you deserve to know."
Mia ended the call, her mind reeling. She sat there for what felt like an eternity, staring at her phone. The world around her seemed to shift, and she felt her confidence begin to crack. Was Adrian hiding something? Why hadn't he mentioned his ex was in town?
When Adrian arrived home later that evening, he found Mia sitting on the couch, her body tense and her gaze fixed on the floor. He could sense the change in the air, the heavy silence that hung between them.
"Mia?" he called softly, stepping into the room. "What's wrong?"
Mia looked up at him, her eyes wide with a mixture of hurt and confusion. "I need to know the truth, Adrian. About your ex."
Adrian froze, his expression unreadable. For a moment, there was only silence. Then, slowly, he sat beside her, his voice calm but firm. "I should have told you about her before."