"I talked to him this morning," says Regina after some minutes of internal deliberation if she should share her morning's odd encounter with Emma.

"Oh! And, how did it go?" asks Emma, trying to hide the fact that she already knew. Word spreads fast, indeed.

"He wants to talk to me, but I'm not sure I want that," answers Regina as she drinks from her glass of wine.

Emma and Regina have been best friends since as long as both of them can remember, but their relationship grew closer when Emma came to live to the Mills' household.

Emma was raised in Storybrooke by her grandparents after they claimed custody of their granddaughter after her parents died in an accident. But it seemed Emma's fate was to experience loss again, because her grandfather died when she was a child, and her grandmother, some months before she turned 18, leaving her with no other relative and in risk to be put into the foster system since she still was a minor. However, Regina's father pulled all the strings he could to keep Emma with them, until she turned 18 and could decide what she wanted to do with her life, and could be allowed to use the fund trust her parents left her.

Nonetheless, Emma's stay in the Mills' house became longer than planned when she found out she was pregnant and upon Henry's insistence, she decided to continue living with them, even if she had to endure Cora Mills' constant remarks of how bad influence Emma was on her daughter.

Henry and Regina's support had been what kept Emma on the right track during that time. After their advice Emma decided to have the baby and keep it, and Emma had been so grateful for that, that when she found out her baby was a boy, she decided to name him after Henry Mills.

Emma had been Regina's best friend since high school, but from the time Emma went to live with the Mills, she turned into the sister Regina never had and always wanted. There were no secrets between the two women, both were the confidant of the other one, and this didn't change over the years.

Emma knows Regina's life through and through and is well aware of how much suffering Cora's actions brought into Regina's life. She has witnessed the countless nights Regina couldn't sleep because of the way she felt after Cora left; she has hugged Regina as she cried after Robin's departure; she has spent days and nights keeping Regina company as she waited for a call that never came; she was the only person in town that knew the circumstances of her marriage to another man, not even three months after ending a five year relationship with another one; but moreover, Emma knows that Regina never was able to get over Robin Locksley, and how much it must have troubled her seeing him this morning.

"Maybe it is that you're afraid that conversation will open some doors you think you closed four years ago," says Emma as she pours more wine in Regina's empty glass, and into her own.

"So, now you're the shrink, huh? Well, no, it's not that, Emma. It's that I have a life here. I worked my ass off to clean my name so that people in this town stop seeing me as fucking Cora Mills' daughter or poor Henry Mills' daughter and I think I succeeded. After all these years people see me for who I am and for what I achieved, and I don't want to risk it by bringing back Robin again into my life ...and there is still Leopold ...he is my husband," replies Regina visibly annoyed by Emma's remarks.

"Don't fuck with me, Regina! Since when do you care what people in this town think about you? If you did, you would have never married Leopold, and you just went with it not giving a shit about what those people thought! And, your marriage to Leopold …please … Leopold, you and I know what that is about."

Regina listens to Emma, drinks from time to time, thinking what to say next because what Emma just told her was nothing but the truth, and denying it wouldn't change the reality.

"And still if what you say is true, Emma, there's a wife or a girlfriend somewhere ...I saw him with a child who definitely is his son."

"Uhm ...you know? If you want some details about Robin's life, I might be able to give you an update ...Killian and Robin were together last night at The Rabbit Hole ...and, well, you know how talkative some people are after two drinks."

Regina lifts one of her brows indicating her surprise "Seriously? And why do you think I'm interested in Robin's life?"

"WelI, I think deep down you want to talk about what Robin said to Killian," adds Emma smirking.

"And, what makes you think you know me so well?" asks Regina smiling back at Emma.

"Oh, Regina please, in the first place, you know I'm the only one that can read you like an open book, and second, if you really wouldn't want to know about Robin, you wouldn't have brought up this topic and would have already found an excuse to leave."

"True," answers Regina and Emma can't hide her surprise after hearing Regina admit the fact that she does want to know about what Robin's life has been all those years.

"Well, as a matter of fact, you're wrong. There's no wife, girlfriend or any other woman in his life. So, he's a free man," begins Emma.

"But I'm not a free woman."

"If I remember well, Regina, you can be free whenever you want. Leopold agreed on it. You told me so," says Emma.

"Even if I wanted to be free, and I'm not saying that's the case, …" says Regina, and Emma can't help but grin "...you're assuming he has feelings for me and after vanishing for four years, he has shown just the opposite."

"I think you should hear what he has to say, and for a minute put yourself in his shoes. How do you think he reacted when he heard about the news of your engagement to Leopold? He's not the only one to blame. I'm not saying that you are, but that both of you were collateral damage. The shit Cora and Robert left behind with their actions dragged you both into all of this."

Regina is about to answer something, but the way she shakes her head without saying a word shows without any doubt that she is backing down. For some seconds neither woman talks until Regina breaks the silence, "What's the point in giving him a chance to explain anything if in two or three weeks he'll be gone again?"

"You don't know that, Regina. I suggest listening to what he has to say. He hasn't been living his best life in England. It might surprise you."

After some minutes both women say their goodbyes and leave, but Emma's words refuse to leave Regina's mind and keep coming for the next hours to torment her.

"Regina, I'm glad you came," said Leopold standing up to greet Regina. "Please, have a seat."

"Well, I must say I'm really curious after the message you left, Leopold."

"Look, Regina I ...I wanted to talk to you ...uhm …I have something to offer that you might find interesting and beneficial for you, and, well, I hope you don't take it the wrong way." Leopold began talking, and it was obvious that whatever he planned to tell Regina is not something that he could voice easily.

Leopold Blanchard was a powerful and extremely wealthy man. He was the owner of most of the properties in town and had investments not only in Storybrooke, but also in the nearby cities. However, for most of the citizens of Storybrooke, power or wealth don't matter at all when there is something to gossip about like the life of an eccentric middle-aged widower who prefers solitude and being away from town for prolonged periods of time than to show any interest in the many women (most of them more concerned in his wallet and bank accounts than in him) that for years have been trying to throw themselves on him (and on his bed), as a way of reaching his fortune.

But it happens that for some weeks, Leopold Blanchard's life had taken a back seat to let the one of Regina Mills be the subject of people's rumors, fantasies, judgment and made up stories. 'Look at her, she's just like her mother. No wonder why the Locksley boy ran away to the other side of the world.'; 'It's only a matter of time before she does the same as her mother'; 'Don't forget she was raised by that bitch of Cora Mills' …

Since the scandal of Cora Mills and Robert Locksley became a public affair, it was the talk of the town. Comments, judgments, mockery, whispers about Regina Mills have been everywhere, and apparently, Robert Locksley had been a more popular neighbor than Cora Mills, because people in Storybrooke had been far more merciful towards Robert's son than towards Cora's daughter.

But the break people in Storybrooke were giving Leopold while they tore apart Regina, didn't please him at all, and having been himself submitted to the same criticism for years had made him work on something that could benefit both of them.

"I'm listening," said Regina intrigued about what could possibly benefit her in a situation where she has already lost everything. Her mother ran away; her engagement ended; the man she loves, left; her father depressed, his term as mayor ending and, since the odds of a re-election were very slim, there wouldn't be a decent salary for him; her father was financially broken because her mother left with their life savings; the mansion where she was raised was on sale and her father would have to move with her; she was stuck in this town with no possibilities of going away because she had to look after her father. It seemed like nothing could benefit her right now.

"I wanted to talk to you … uhm…because since your mother ran away with Robert …" Regina couldn't help showing a gesture of disgust at the remark about her mother's misconduct, but Leopold continued talking unaware of the pain the mere names of Cora and Robert brought her "…I have noticed there are five pariahs in this town, but only two of them are still here, since one went to England and the other two, I don't think will ever have the nerve to come back."

"You mean ...are you referring to us?" asked Regina even though she was well aware he was talking about the two of them.

"Exactly. People in this town see us very much the same. They talk behind our backs, judge us, criticize our choices, despise us, but for me, it's a little different. They still show me some respect, maybe because they fear me, maybe out of convenience …I will never know, but with you, these people have been brutal..."

Leopold paused for some seconds and Regina used them to her advantage, "Why do you still care what they think about you? I already got used to the way they look at me ...for me, it's been just a few weeks, and I can assure each day it hurts less. Other things still hurt the same, though."

"I guess I don't care as much as you think, Regina. But this is not about me anymore. It's about Mary Margaret ...and about something else. Uhm ...what people say about me is affecting Mary Margaret, she has even thought about leaving town and, David, her fiancé, just got the position at the Police Department here and he won't ask for a transfer, so they will end up separated by distance. I don't want my child to go through the hell you're living now. No child should pay the price of their parents' choices."

Regina waited for him to continue whatever he had to say, and only whispered a, "Go ahead," for him to proceed.

"I'll be honest with you, Regina. Despite my fortune and being the owner of most of the businesses in this town, people see me with disdain, they don't accept me as one of them. You certainly have heard what they say about me."

"I've heard something, yes, but, I'm not like the rest of the town, so actually I believe little of what I hear, and from what's left, I think it's each person's business and not mine."

"Well, you'll be the first one to know the truth from me. Most of what you've heard is true. Long story short: Raised by an authoritarian father and an overprotective mother, I always thought something was wrong with me when the object of my desire was the lads rather than the lasses. At some point, I tried to suppress my desires by marrying a woman thinking she could …" he air quoted "... fix me; it didn't work, obviously, and Ava was miserable until the day she died; she wasn't happy because I couldn't give her what she wanted, still we had a child, one that I love with all my heart, and who will suffer if she finds out the truth about her father; this town won't understand my choices, and will judge me …"

Regina didn't let Leopold finish and said, "I think Mary Margaret can handle the truth about your sexuality, Leopold. She's an adult, and we are in the 21st century, even if we're in this goddamn town. If that's your concern, I'll say you're overreacting."

Leopold looked at her, smiled warmly and continued, "Maybe she can handle it … but, there's reason number two ...I ...I have someone …someone younger than me that doesn't live here. He lives in Boston … He's the only son of very wealthy and conservative parents. The heir of an empire, but his father will disinherit him the minute he confirms the truth about us ...and, well, his parents already suspect that the two of us are involved in something more than business …and ...um ...we both think it would be best to distract their attention if the man suspected of being their son's lover is married to someone else."

"Oh, no, no! You are not implying what I think you are?" asked Regina with stupor in her eyes.

"Regina, I know this is something you didn't expect, but look at it objectively. I want us to be partners, associates. I offer you my protection, my friendship, and my utmost respect. Under my protection, you can develop your career with no financial worries. Your father would be taken care of, you wouldn't need to sell your house, he could continue living there. You would enjoy everything I have while we remain married, and when we decide we no longer want to be married, you still get to have half of what we achieve during our marriage. No sex between us and total freedom to have other partners, sex partners included or any relationship as long as it is handled discreetly. I have two apartments in Boston, one could be for your exclusive use for any encounters you might want to have. No questions, no judgment."

Regina was shocked, to say the least, after what Leopold told her. She couldn't believe she discussed those details with a man she'd known for years, but, at the same time, doesn't know at all ...and, it's even worse because she had met his daughter. She was not a friend of Mary Margaret; Regina was some years older, but in a town like this everybody knew each other.

She was uncomfortable with what their conversation had turned into, and she thought for some seconds about standing up, leaving and pretending this never happened, but something (maybe it's that Leopold mentioned his father) told her that she should finish listening to what this man had to say. And she did, beginning to ask some details about what he was proposing to her. "First of all, I don't care about the money. Second, I noticed you just said 'when we decide we don't want to remain married' …so, does this mean you actually consider this as something temporary, that at some point any of us can end it?"

"I knew money wouldn't be your motivation, Regina. I'm aware of that and I'm glad because it proves I wasn't wrong. And, regarding your second concern, well, this would be an unconventional marriage, we would have unconventional rules and, yes, any of us could end it whenever we want."

"And what do you get from this?" asked Regina, again.

"A refined, intelligent open-minded beautiful wife, one that will be the perfect company in galas, openings, business travels, and that would make quite the impression. Someone able to host any event here with class and good taste. A friend, a confidant, someone that will know my darkest secrets without judging me ...and yes, someone that would help distract the attention over my boyfriend and I, until the waters calm."

"And what's the catch?" she continued questioning Leopold.

"Well, I'd say there's no catch. It's a win-win for both of us. In any case, I'd prefer to use the word 'condition' and it even isn't a limitation, but it would be an unwise choice for our ..." he pauses in search of the adequate word ".. uhm ...agreement. You should avoid getting pregnant because I would end fathering another man's child, and that would be unfair for you, your child, the father of your child, Mary Margaret and me …so I'd say that's the only catch …Oh, well ...and confidentiality about our arrangement ...and ...uhm … I would like to remain married for a year or so."

Everything Leopold had said seemed reasonable considering the atypical scenario they were discussing, but there were still some things that Regina needed to clear before she made any choice, so she continued with her interrogation.

"And why me? You could have chosen any woman here. Haven't you seen how women throw themselves on your arms any chance they get? Don't you think Ruby would be dying to accept something like this? Zelena, even? She's ambitious, loves power and in the blink of an eye, she would accept an arrangement like this ...Or, maybe, a more mature choice would be better? … uhm ...like Ingrid?"

"Why you? Wow, Regina, haven't you looked in a mirror? To start, I think in this town people that have begun to tear you apart now that you've been subjected to public shame are of two types: those who envy your beauty and class, and those who lust after you and know they won't have you. Then, it is that I've seen you endure these past weeks with extreme strength; not once I've seen you break and you have so much going on, but you are facing this with the poise and composure of a queen. And I need a queen by my side."

Regina smiled at Leopold's compliment. It' was comforting hearing someone point out her fortitude.

"And Ruby? Seriously? She's the town slut. Marrying her will bring down my cover-up before we leave the city hall. And, Zelena and Ingrid I don't trust them to share what I just told you, and …well, I am not attracted to women, but if I were I'm sure you'd be my type," finished Leopold.

Regina smiled again at Leopold's words. Despite the topic of their conversation and what she had endured the past weeks, at least this man had made her smile twice that morning.

"You'll understand this is a lot to deal with, Leopold. I need to think this through, and also Robin and I just broke up, and, well, we said we'll retake our relationship when we were ready ...you know after everything we went through we both needed some time apart, and he decided to leave town, but what if he comes and I'm married to another man?"

"Yeah, you'll have to evaluate all that. Think it through, Regina. Take all the time you need."

"Oh, Leopold you said there must be confidentiality, but I would need advice from someone else. Emma Swan."

"It's okay. Only Emma Swan. I trust her judgment."

Sunday mornings are the same for Robin as any other day. His son doesn't care which day of the week it is or if they're on vacation; he is an early riser, and a Sunday morning doesn't make any difference.

As soon as he hears his son calling him, Robin takes his phone to check what time is it and find out if Roland got to sleep a little later. With the time difference between the US and England, Roland's nap and bedtime schedules are still a bit messed up, and he needs to know if, with each passing day, his son is adjusting better.

He grabs his phone from the nightstand and seeing the message displayed on the screen is enough to make him jump off the bed and switch his brain into a full alert mode. It's a number he doesn't recognize, but the little he can read indicates without any doubt who's the sender.

Sunday, December 16th. Noon. The cabin in the woods.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

It's a message from Regina, and if he remembers well he was the one who said, the day before, settle the day and time that works better for you ...and she just did that! He never thought she would want to meet him and listen to what he has to say after all these years: least of all, that it would be this soon because it happens that today is fucking December 16th and of all days during his stay this is the only day he actually isn't available at that time.

If he ever doubted about Murphy's Law, well, this time he doesn't.

Nonetheless, he has dreamt about having this chance for the last four years, being honest with himself not the whole four years, but since he accepted he needed closure with her. So, he'll cancel whatever plan messes with the prospect of seeing and talking to her one more time, even if this means his family would kill him for standing them up.

He realizes the only purpose of this rendezvous is to ease his conscience; he comprehends that. This doesn't mean a romantic encounter (he knows he lost his chance with her years ago …accepting that fact has cost him a lot of money and years of therapy sessions), not even the choice of place gives him hope she might want something different. She is a married woman, and he respects that. He is not like his bastard of a father who got involved with someone else's wife, and he knows Regina isn't like her mother, either. For both of them the sins of their parents still weigh too heavily, so he is very much aware of the sole purpose of their encounter, yet he can't help the excitement that knowing he will see her in a few hours, brings him.

He manages to be free between 11:30 in the morning and 2:00 in the afternoon, and arranges that Roland stays with Belle during that time. He'll arrive late to the Sunday lunch his family has been planning.

And, it isn't that he is naive or insane enough to think that Regina would listen to him for two hours because, honestly, he thinks he'd be lucky if she hasn't already backed out. The two and a half hour time slot he has cleared is because he needs enough time to get there, to return to her sister's place, and in between have the talk he's been postponing for four fucking years, which he hopes would last more than the ten minutes he requested.

He arrives in time, actually, he's there ten minutes before noon. He borrowed his mother's car, parked it in a detour of the highway and reached the cabin by foot. Despite it being winter, he didn't freeze his ass off, and he thinks this walk was worth the effort. He doesn't want someone passing by and recognizing his mother's car in front of the Mills' cabin. Everyone in this town would understand what that means, especially Leroy Grump who happens to take the road near the cabin to do whatever job he says he does, and the one person whose lack of discretion is well known.

Robin wants to avoid any gossip or misunderstanding, even though they are doing nothing wrong. He knows how people in this town think and how much harm their made up stories can do.

He can't help the longing when he gets there. He spots a car parked outside. It's a Mercedes Benz, classy and elegant, just like she is. Definitely, hers.

He sighs, takes a flask from the inner pocket of his coat, it's not even noon, and regardless, before knocking the door he drinks from it, hoping that the two or three sips of whiskey he consumes can conjure some courage and give him some strength, because certainly, they won't act as a love potion.

Robin knocks the door as he has done thousands of times before, and even though he strikes the door strongly and resolutely, his heart beats so fast and loud that he swears she'd hear it rather than the bang on the door.

He watches the door open slowly, just to reveal her standing by the door, wearing a casual outfit. Not the elegant pantsuits and pencil skirts he has seen her wearing the past few days. This time, she wears dark skinny jeans, a loose gray sweater with a turtleneck, and a pair of boots. Even though the sweater is loose and reaches below her hips, it fails to hide the form of her breasts, hips, and ass. Her hair, which now is shorter than it used to be, is neatly done and her soft makeup enhances her natural beauty. She's perfect even in this casual style, and he can't help staring at her for more time than would be considered appropriate.

She breaks the awkwardness of the moment clearing her throat as she opens the door wider for him to come inside but doesn't say a word.

Robin doesn't hesitate and steps inside leaving the cold weather behind and taking his coat off to hang it on the coat rack by the entry which he knows very well. He hasn't even finished hanging his coat when he hears her say as she gestures with one of her hands indicating to sit on the couch "Well, you asked for ten minutes ...I'm listening."

Shit! Why did he ask for ten minutes, and not a whole hour of her time? Or maybe ten minutes would be enough because, from the tone of her voice and the way she folds her arms across her chest, he can say she's not pleased to see him and is definitely pissed, so ten minutes could actually be more than enough.

He believes it's better to just cut to the chase, and he does exactly that. "You moved on, Regina, that's why I didn't call."

"Maybe I wouldn't have moved on if you'd have answered ONE, Robin, ONE, of my calls or messages," she raises her voice lifting one of her fingers in an unmistakable representation of number one, stares at him fiercely and when he notices the vein in her forehead popping out, he knows he's fucked.

Robin gulps at Regina's words. What she just said is nothing but the truth. He never returned any of her calls. Some of them just went to the voicemail when he didn't answer the phone because he was totally wasted; others, he just ignored along with those of friends and even the ones of his sister or mother.

However, he strives to explain his side of the story. "Regina, when I arrived in London I was in a dark place …a very dark one …angry with my father, heartbroken, with no friends, no job, I didn't want to know anything about this town, I wanted to disappear ...and I began drinking. Days and nights were the same for me. I lost track of time …of me …sooner than what I would have thought I became the shadow of the man you knew. It's not that I didn't want to call you ...it's that I just couldn't …I hadn't any strength left ...and I hated the man I became."

He watches her as she pays attention to what he said. She doesn't blink and listens to him undaunted. Her face doesn't show any emotion and it's difficult for him to tell if she's angry, sad or affected by his story. He is about to continue when he hears her speak.

"Well, now imagine how should have felt dealing with all of that while this fucking town tore you apart and you had to witness your only parent drowning in sorrow without a single chance to run away or drown your pain in alcohol because you had to work with the little strength you had left just to pay your father's bills, because the bitch of your mother ran away with everything your parents had!" She raises her voice, she's not yelling, though, but her words have enough passion and strength to scare the shit out of him. "I wasn't in a good place, either, Robin."

Robin hears Regina and realizes her cold expression seconds before was just a mask. She is the same passionate woman that doesn't hold anything back and feels everything deep inside her with her whole heart and soul. The same woman he ran away from four years ago, and that now is taken …and as he thinks about her being with another man, the words he says next leave his mouth before he realizes what he has said.

"But it seems your misfortune didn't last long, Regina. In three months you were ready to marry someone else …so don't you dare throw in my face that you moved on because I didn't call you! When I gathered enough courage to call you, I found out you were engaged and about to marry fucking Leopold Blanchard!"

Robin regrets his words the second he finishes speaking, and he sees the look of pain in her eyes. He is about to apologize when he hears her talk.

"Pity you couldn't work on your issues earlier, Robin. Don't you dare judge me! Don't you dare go there! You weren't here, you didn't contact me, not a word, not a fucking message for three months …you don't know what I went through those first months, until …"

"Until someone threw you a lifesaver," continues Robin finishing Regina's sentence for her.

"That's not what I was going to say, but, yes someone did that for me. And I'm glad it happened," answers Regina.

"So, you did move on. I ...I was hoping there would be another explanation for your sudden relationship and marriage to a man you barely knew," says Robin, and can't help the expression of disappointment hearing her admit her happiness for marrying someone else, brings him.

"Well, things changed after you left and went off the grid for months ...and ….uhm...it was the same for you, Robin. You also moved on."

"Just so you know, Regina, actually, I never moved on. I never could." Robin is surprised at himself and his abrupt display of honesty because he just voiced the fact he has known for years, but had remained hidden from most people and even from himself most of the time. Sharing this with Regina hadn't been his plan when he asked for ten minutes of her time the day before.

"So, your wife, your son? Do they mean nothing?" asks Regina with an expression of disbelief.

And well what has been going in Robin's life for the past four years is something that needs more than ten minutes for him to explain, but he has decided that the least he could give her is some honesty, and, definitely, that would take more time. So he just asks her, "Can you give me more than ten minutes, Regina? I think we both deserve the truth and I'm willing to share it with you."

The only two words she says next make impossible for Robin to determine if she is eager to know more about his life or if she doesn't care at all, and instead of kicking him out she just decides to listen to him politely.

"Go on."

Robin sighs and begins his side of the story. He starts talking slowly and pausing from time to time to choose the best wording.

"You had a lifesaver, and I'm glad for it ...I really am, Regina. But I also had someone. She helped me, she picked up every single piece of shit that was left of me and my life, encouraged me to find a job, convinced me to begin attending therapy sessions, helped me understand that the way I chose to cope with what happened to us was not the best one ...maybe it was the easiest way out and not calling you back then … well, that's something I learned to live with every fucking day … Anyway, in the process Marian, her name is ...was Marian, and I became friends, best friends, she was the support system I was craving for ...uhm …we were very close, and one night we were at my place, celebrating a promotion I just had at my job ...one that she insisted I should run for, and …well ...we slept together. Clearly, it was a mistake, because things became weird between us since that moment, but from that mistake came the biggest joy I could have been gifted with: my son. We agreed to co-parent Roland, to share custody and we made our friendship work, but just after Roland turned one, she got sick …something complicated ...no treatment …the doctors couldn't do much for her, and she died some months ago."

Robin never imagined how difficult it would be to open up to Regina about Marian and her sickness. The little he was able to tell her has put him at the verge of breaking apart remembering the weeks prior to Marian's death, and how difficult it had been to take care of his son when he knew he'd be growing up without his mother. He hasn't been able to gather enough strength to share with Regina more details about Marian's illness and how firmly she had insisted that Robin should return to Storybrooke and try to find some closure with Regina, and maybe retrieve what was once taken away from him.

"I ...I'm so sorry to hear that, Robin. I truly am. I can't imagine having to deal with the death of someone that close and so important to you and the most significant person in your child's life," says Regina as she squeezes Robin's hand. This slight touch is the first time in four years they have some sort of physical contact, and for Robin, it's reassuring and meaningful. However, he can't help thinking that this gesture comes from Regina, the therapist, and, by any means, it's a sign that things might become friendly between them.

"Yeah, it was hard ...still is ...and that incident in our lives has made me re-evaluate a lot of things, even the possibility of coming back here in a more permanent way. Raising a son as a single dad in a city with no relatives is hard, and I think it's a better choice to finally settle down in the town where my mother and sister live ...still if it is this goddamn town."

"So, are you staying?"

"It seems so, but first I need to check some work stuff here. I already told you about me, Regina, and I hope you can understand why I couldn't get in touch with you. I hope you can forgive me for letting you down. But, I need to know about you, Regina. I hope life has been more generous with you than how it has treated me," says Robin trying to shift the topic of the conversation to something that has been eating him alive for years: her motivations for accepting to marry another man.

"I ...I need time for forgiveness, Robin. I'm not in such a place right now. I don't regret any choice I made if that's what you are implying. Under the circumstances I had to face, I think I did the best with the little alternatives I had left."

Robin nods, looking deeply at her expressive brown eyes. She's so beautiful, and her eyes tell him something different than what she says with words. If he's not misreading, she has a soft gaze, almost tender and caring. She's emotional; her eyes are clouded with tears that menace to fall all over her face at any moment. Certainly, she's touched by their conversation, and not angry anymore, and he thinks it's time to ask the one question he has been dying to ask for years. However, he is afraid she might react badly; he doesn't want to risk the little progress he has made since he arrived for a ten minute talk, almost half an hour ago. He has been honest with her and, actually, he isn't expecting to win her back; he knows she's married, but at least he needs to know the truth about something.

"And, your husband? Do you love him? Does he make you happy? I've heard some rumors about him, and I'm wondering if with his background he still manages to make you happy."

"What kind of question is that Robin? You used to be better than that and just give a shit about rumors and gossip."

Shit. He ruined everything.

"Sorry, Regina. I think I deserve an answer. I hope you can give it to me. Your marriage to him is just something …uhm ...unexpected to say the least. You ...you were never close to Leopold Blanchard, you didn't even speak a word to him. How come you suddenly decided to marry him? Unless..."

"Unless, what, Robin? Unless I already knew him because I cheated on you with him? Is that what you are implying? Is that what you have been thinking all this time? That I'm just like my mother."

Shit. Again, he ruined things with her.

"Regina, that's not what I was going to say, and I'm sorry if my words made you think I would say something like that. It's just that I try to find an explanation, but I can find none, there's no logic. We were engaged three months before you married him, and by the time you were marrying him, I just can't stop thinking it should have been me."

"I learned to love Leopold; he's an amazing man and has been a great support to me. That's what you should be glad about. Sometimes things are not what they appear to be. I would have never imagined your life to be what you just told me. I would have thought of you with a perfect family and a loving wife waiting for you somewhere. You would be surprised to know what my life has been, but it's not my call to share it with you. That's between Leopold and me, and I hope you understand and respect it."

Shit. He understands it and will respect it, but can't be happy about it.

As Robin drives back to his mother's house, he thinks how hard would be seeing her every day, because he's certain that in a town as small as this one, they'll cross paths daily.

Little does he know then that he doesn't need to torture himself with those thoughts, at all.

During the next days, he'll be receiving a little help from the last person in the world he would have thought, and the journey to retrieve the woman he is still in love with will begin.

Any thoughts?