Zach's POV:
Huh…
"And… you got this where?"
My friend sighs rubbing her temples. "For the millionth time," Gold eyes open to meet mine. "In his office locked in a drawer."
Impossible… has he finally lost it? No… My fingers flip through the stack of papers. Perhaps he was wondering what they looked like. That's all.
"Are you positive these aren't fake?" I scan over the files once again for anything out of place. "How are you sure the papers are his?" Maybe a friend of his wanted them or something.
"Look on the last page."
The last… page… My eyes widen as I see his signature. What… the… heck…
"Your brother sighed it?!"
"Unfortunately."
No way… I rub my eyes shaking my head a bit. I saw wrong. There's no way that he signed this!
"Why…" My throat seizes up as I zoom into his signature. "Why would he go and sign such a thing? It doesn't make any sense!"
"I don't know either." The woman across from me pours a cup of water. "The only thing I can think of is how she'll react to seeing this."
She's right… if his wife sees this…
"But this doesn't make any sense, Astrana. I mean, I know they gotten into an argument but certainly that wouldn't be enough for him to file a divorce."
"Unless," She speaks up after a minute of thinking. "He's been thinking about this for a while now."
"You're not saying that…"
"Remember the whole situation with Astraea?" Her lips purse into a thin line. "Maybe that was when he signed them."
"But he has forgiven her, right? Why does he still have-"
"He says that but is that really the truth?" A voice rings through the air as I turn to meet green and red eyes.
I automatically stand with a bow. "Your Majesty."
He nods and sits next to me on the couch. "As I was saying, I know him the best." He glances at the papers in my hands. "If he's keeping them locked in his drawer instead of disposing them, it must still have a use."
"Dad, you aren't saying what I think you're saying, are you?" My friend's face morphs in horror as the king nods.
"The fact that he signed them shows that he has thoughts on ending his marriage with-"
"I refuse." Gold eyes narrow as her hands clench on her lap. "I refuse to let that happen."
Why hasn't he forgiven her yet? I… I mean… I can see why but still, to divorce while she's bearing twins? Or… My face pales as a horrendous thought flies to my brain. The fact he was keeping them locked… was he planning to wait after she's given birth to divorce her?!
"This guy," I gulp as my eyes narrow. No way am I letting him go through with this! "Just what is he thinking? I'm going to wack his head into submission." I rise with a pit of anger boils in my stomach. "How can he think of divorcing such a woman?!"
"Both of you, please settle down."
Our eyes widen as the king calmly sip his water. How can he say such a thing?
"Dad! Do you want him to divorce her or something?" She asks in disbelief.
"Yeah, Your Majesty. I know he's your son but don't you think that would be unfair to her?"
A clink rings throughout the room as he places his cup down looking at me. "Zach, do you think I'm the sort of being who would promote him to do such things?"
I said too much! Oh no…
"Y-Your M-Majesty," I interlock my hands in front of me. "I don't mean any disrespect. I just-"
He lets out a laugh. "Relax. I'm joking. Of course I understand your concern in regards to this situation."
"But then why would you-"
"Think before you act, honey." His gaze shifts to his daughter. "Being reckless and confronting him won't help this matter."
"Then what are we supposed to do? Just let him divorce her?"
"No. Your brother always have a motive to things. That's just the way he is. The fact that he's keeping them locked in a drawer probably means he thought about it but decided against it."
"But why does he still keep it though?" I ask as the king looks towards the sky.
"Perhaps it's because…" Because of what?
He trails off with a soft sigh shaking his head with an inaudible mutter. Huh?
"Because of what, dad?"
"You two don't need to worry so much." The king replies after a moment as my friend and I look at each other. "I doubt he would do anything rash considering his love for her."
That still doesn't answer our question though…
"The best thing you two can do right now is to stay put and-"
"How can I possibly ignore this?" She shouts swiping her arms upwards. "I-"
"If you really want to do something," He places his hand under his chin. "I guess it wouldn't hurt to have the two of them make up and resolve whatever conflict they have with each other."
That's perfect! If they resolve it then there would be a less of a chance of divorce!
"Alright." A smirk forms on her lips. "I'll start with the most obvious one."
That expression… why do I have a bad feeling?
Astrana's POV:
"We heard everything."
"Tell us what we need to do."
Why am I not surprised?
I glance at my two girlfriends as they stare at me. "Here's what we need to do. If you can, get my brother away from that wicked witch."
"Then," My hazel eyed friend grins rubbing her hands together. "I'll teach her a lesson she'll never forget." Why do I feel like that lesson is more of a beating?
"Girls, as much as I would love to interfere, it would not be very wise."
"What?!" My white haired friend exclaims. "And just let her seduce him like that? Brandon, are you in your right mind?"
And here I thought he had feelings for my sister-in-law.
"I'm being serious." He lets out a breath running his fingers carelessly through his hair. "It's best if we don't-"
Its always the sidelines. I'm sick and tired of it!
"Don't interfere my head!" I point a finger at him. "If we don't salvage this marriage, he'll end up divorcing her for that woman!"
Three pair of eyes all fixate on me with blank stares. All is silent as they look at me with a laugh.
"Aw come on," My hazel eyed friend waves an arm with a scoff. "Aren't you overreacting a bit?"
"Yeah, Astrana. You know how much he loves her. Why would he do such a thing?"
"Plus, it wouldn't make sense. She's bearing his children so if he divorced her now, he would be left with no heir." Blue eyes bore into mine with a displeased expression. "You shouldn't say things like this on a whim. What would happen if his wife heard?"
"Oh and without factual evidence." My blond haired friend walk up to me. "Never assume what he's going to do. That's what I learned after years of being his friend."
I… do I dare tell them about the divorce papers? "But…"
No… Star and Maria knows about it yet they aren't making the move in telling them so why should I? Plus… it not that I know for sure he'll divorce her. It's just an assumption without factual evidence.
(Flash):
"No. Your brother always have a motive to things. That's just the way he is. The fact that he's keeping them locked in a drawer probably means he thought about it but decided against it."
(Flash)
But then why? What is the reasoning behind keeping such unlucky papers? Just what on Astral World are you thinking, brother?
Liliana's POV:
"Waltari,"
"Yes, Your Highness?"
The sounds of birds chirping fills the air as I sit in the gazebo. Just a few feet away, a pond filled with water lilies lay beautiful among the surface of the crystal clear water. The multitude of colors shine and radiate, reflecting off the warm yellow morning sun creating a glow of a strong embrace.
My feet glides over towards the edge of the pond, hands gripping the banister as I shut my eyes. "Tell me, is it true?"
"Is what true?"
"The rumors circulating around the palace of there being a divorce."
A gasp rings through the air as I can hear him kneel behind me. "Mistress, I can assure you that's untrue!"
Is it though?
"I know for a fact Master loves you very much and would never do such a thing."
Does he really?
(Flash):
"Give it to me."
"Please forgive me but as a doctor, I can't provide you this any longer." A voice rings out from a room as I blink.
Huh?
A fist slams on the table as I flinch. What on earth is going on in there? I raise a brow as I peak cautiously through the crack of the door. My husband sits with his legs crossed while the doctor kneels before him.
"I'm not repeating myself again." He glares at the guy on the ground. "Either you give it to me right now or you die. Chose wisely."
Give what? And die? Why would he…?
The doctor shuts his eyes with a deep breath. "Your Highness, you know taking it will inflict harm on your overall body yet why do you insist on swallowing those pills?"
Pills? He's on medication? For what? Inflicting harm on the body? Why hasn't he told me this? Is he ill?
"You know why." His gold and silver eyes drifts towards the window. "You were the one who gave them to me."
"Yes and if I could turn back time, I would've watched you suffer than prescribing you such medication."
My beloved's eyes narrow with a scoff. "Do you not value your life, Nistro?" Footsteps echo throughout the room as he kneels on one knee in front of the guy. "I command you as The Prince to give me the pills."
He looks up at him shaking his head. "I already see changes in you."
Changes?
"What are you talking about? There hasn't been any-"
"You're more angry."
"So?" He rolls his eyes with a dry chuckle. "That doesn't prove anything."
"Let me ask you something. Your Highness, have you been having trouble resting, feeling more agitated and aggressive than usual and not feeling like yourself these days?"
My darling blinks shifting his eyes downwards a bit. "That still doesn't mean anything. He mutters as the doctor sighs.
"That medication is designed for short term use only." He stresses. "I'm talking in the span of a few weeks or so not two months like you have been-"
"Who cares about the time span? Just give them to me. You had no problems with my demands before so why stop now?"
"That was before I realized how stupid I was to not recognizing the symptoms of reliance and-"
"I do not have a reliance on that drug!"
"Then explain to me why you have been asking for it more frequently?" He shouts as my husband's eyes widen. "Explain to me why I began to see changes in you? Explain to me why you can't seem to go a day without experiencing the side effects and withdrawals when before you could go weeks without having any problems?!"
"I…" He trails off as I cover my mouth. Symptoms of… reliance…? Just what is that medication?
"Your Highness," Tears prickle his eyes as he grips my husband's hand. "I beg you. Stop taking the pills. They're doing more harm than good and-"
"You know that without them I can't feel anything." He whispers with a gulp. "I… I need them to feel."
He needs them to… feel?
"But at the extent of your health? Is that worth it? Is the ability to feel something greater than your health?"
"I don't think you get it." Gold and silver eyes close. "The ability to feel something. Empathy, happiness, sadness, anger, love." His eyes open with a smile. "The ability to feel is better than not feeling anything because it proves I can live. Without it, without emotions, I'm just existing."
(Flash)
How long did you think to keep this from me? And why? Why didn't you tell me anything regarding your mental health? Am I not your wife? Do you not view me as such anymore?
"Waltari," I speak up after a few minutes. "May you call Nistro to meet with me privately?"
"Your Highness, do you feel unwell somewhere? Want me to notify His Highness and-"
"No need." My head turns to him as he bows. "I want to ask him a few questions that's all. Don't notify my husband about this. Something as trivial as this shouldn't be his concern."
The guy in front of me nods. "As you wish, Mistress."
A breath escapes my lips as I turn to the pond. I doubt he will tell me anything considering the HIPAA oath and patient privacy but… it's worth a try. Coaxing anything out of him is better than nothing.
Astral… what are you doing right now?
Astral's POV:
I wince as bright lights flicker causing me to shut my eyes with a hiss. Can't this person see me sleeping? Why bother me?
"Dude," A masculine voice rings out in the room as I hear footsteps approaching me. "It's 4 in the afternoon. How longer are you going to stay in bed?"
Who cares if it's currently 4, 5, or 6? After what Katherine tried to do last night, I barely dragged myself to this room and collapsed. You think I care about the time of day?
"Leave me alone." I pull the blanket closer to my chest shutting my eyes tighter. "I had a rough time sleeping."
A sigh fill my ears as he sits next to me. "You can't sleep all day like this. It will ruin your sleep-wake cycle." A finger shifts across the blanket as I groan swatting his hand away.
"My circadian rhythm's already destroyed."
Should I ask the doctor to up the dose? Hah… who am I kidding? He wouldn't do that even if his life depends on it. According to him, I'm already on the max dose. Anymore will be detrimental in regards to my health but do I really care at this point? I'm a dying guy anyway.
"Seriously, did you stay up all night or something?"
"Go away." A yawn escapes my lips as I turn my head. "Leave me alone."
"Astral," A hand shakes my body. "Come on, wake up."
Why can't this guy take the hint and leave?!
"Don't make me get Lily in here." He warns as he flings the blanket from my body. I let out a groan and curl up into a ball. My ears ring wildly as I can feel my chest beating faster and faster.
And here comes the symptoms. Perhaps he's right. Maybe I do have a dependency on those pills after all.
"Just leave me alone, Zach." My body curls even more as I place my palms over my ears. Sweat drips from my head as my whole body trembles slightly. This isn't good. Out of all the symptoms that could've manifested. Why this one? And in front of him of all people?
A pause comes from my friend as I feel a hand on my forehead. "Astral… are you… feeling alright?"
Zach's POV:
Why is he…
My heart races as I see my friend pull himself into a little ball, trembling with sweat running down his forehead. A tiny whimper escapes his lips as his eyes shut tightly.
W-What should I do in this situation?
"I uh…" I should call the physician first of all. "Someone, summon the-"
"N-No." A voice interrupts me as I look towards my friend who is breathing heavily. "Y-You can't…"
Why?
"What's going on with you?" My arms hoist him up wrapping his body in blankets. "Why are you like this all of a sudden?"
"I…" His teeth clatter against each other as his fingers start to turn cyan. Blue? Blue fingers? Wait… isn't that a sign of… "I-I-"
My arms immediately wrap around his body tightly as I pull him close. "Ok, ok," My fingers start to massage his, rubbing them together to create a source of heat. "You're going to be alright."
I blow into his hands once more as he huddles closer to me. "J-Just l-leave m-me alone-"
"Are you kidding?!" I continue to massage his hands. "You must think I'm crazy or something."
"I-It will g-go a-away eventually. I-I'll be fine."
Eventually? So he's been through this before?
"Like hell you will be." I shout as he shivers even more. "I still think getting a doctor will be-"
"Y-You cannot s-summon h-him."
"Why not?" I materialize more blankets to cover the two of us. "Do you want to freeze?"
"I-" His eyes widen. "Z-Zach, o-open the bottom drawer of the cabinet. T-There s-should be a b-bottle of p-pills."
Pills? As in medication? Does he have an illness he's not telling me?
"And… they will help with the symptoms you're experiencing currently?" I ask after a moment as I receive a shaky nod.
My fingers cautiously open the drawer of the table near the bed. A little white bottle enters my view as I pick it up. Ativan? I raise a brow as my friend starts to breath heavily.
"D-Did you find i-it?"
"Yea," My eyes narrow at the bottle. Why does he have this? "But… what exactly is this med-"
"G-Give me them." A shaky hand takes the bottle from me as he unscrews the lid. My eyes widen as his gold and silver eyes turn bloodshot red. Why are his eyes so...
A bunch of pills pop from the container as the guy in front of me shivers breathing heavily as he covers his mouth swallowing all of them.
What?!
"Are you insane?!" I immediately force his mouth open as he struggles against my hands. "Did you know how many you took?!"
Does he have a death wish? That was like 5 of them!
"Just what is that medicine? Why are you taking-"
"Zach," A voice booms as I freeze. His eyes lock with mine as he motions to sit up. "Forget about this."
Forget?! Did he just try to overdose?! How could I just forget about this?!
"You tried to-"
"Overdose?" His eyes close with a breath. "No."
"Do you think I would believe that?!" I grip his wrist tightly glaring at him. "What are those pills? Tell me!"
The guy in front of me purses his lip with his gaze shifting downwards. Hm… I know that he has Anxiety… could those pills be for his Anxiety? But… then why? Why does he have those symptoms? The chills and bloodshot eyes…
"Please," A hand touch mine with a desperate look. "Forget this ever happened."
"Astral," My eyes narrow. "Either you tell me what those pills are or I'll drag you to the doctor and-"
"They're prescription." His eyes go blank. "The pills. I'm not doing drugs."
I wasn't even thinking that but now that he mentions it…
"What's it for?"
"Don't tell other people."
"You're not answering my question," I grip his hand tighter. "What. Is. It. For?"
"I can't tell you."
"God damn it Astral!" My hands grip his collar. "Tell me what you took! You took five of them. What was it?!"
"I'm under no obligation to tell you medical history."
"I swear-"
(Knock)(Knock)
"Astral," A feminine voice rings out as my friend pulls away from me. "You got a minute?"
"Sure. Give me a few minutes to straighten out some things."
I hear footsteps walk away from the door as we look at each other. "Zach, please, don't tell anyone about this."
"Why shouldn't I?" I roll my eyes. "You're doing-"
"This is prescribed medication."
"Why did you take five at once?" I pick up the white bottle. "It says to take 1 pill daily not five."
He deliberately took five times the intended amount! If that's not overdosing, I don't know what is.
"You don't need to know why just… keep this to yourself." A whisper rings through my ears as my eyes widen.
"How could you-"
"I'll tell you when it's the right time." My heart stops as I see tears brimming in his luminous eyes. "Please Zach," A pair of hands hold mine as I bite my lip. "Don't tell anyone about this."
He's… His eyes…
A pit of anger boils in my stomach. "Just look at yourself right now." A lump forms in my throat as I steady my breathing. "I get it. You're grieving but," My eyes drift to the bottle of pills on the bed. "I saw my friend swallowing pills with bloodshot eyes!" I shout as he stares at me lifelessly. "How could I keep this all to myself?! How could you ask me to do such a thing?"
"How long have you been doing this?" I shake his shoulders rapidly. "God damn it, Astral! Snap out of it!"
"Zach,"
"No!" My eyes narrow as I pant. "You listen to me. You got to pull yourself together. I know," My vision blurs as I blink rapidly. "I know it hurts. I know being lied to hurts. I know what it's like to be surrounded by beings but feel isolated. Believe me, I know how intense and exhausting it is but," Moisture falls down my cheeks as I bore into his vacant stare. "You have got to pull yourself together, Astral."
"Give me a reason to." A whisper escapes his lips as he blinks the tears away. "Give me a reason. Any reason to keep on living! I can't think of anything worth living for. The only person that changed my life died because of me. I shouldn't be alive. It should've been me who died that day not-"
"Your family. Lily and your children need you!" I grit my teeth as I wave my arm placing a sound barrier. "Do you want Melody to grow up without a father figure in her life? Do you-"
"I don't but I don't have anymore strength to go on!" A scream interrupts my sentence as his body trembles. "I no longer feel anything anymore." My friend reach over to grab a pair of scissors to cut his palm with.
"Don't-"
He doesn't even flinch when he digs the sharp blade into his hand and scrape it across his palm. Crimson flows onto the sheets as I immediately knock the scissors from his grip making it land on the floor.
Is he nuts?!
"Are you insane?! You-"
My eyes wide in horror as he stares at his bleeding palm then up at me. "Why can't I feel any pain? I don't think you understand what I'm going through, Zachary." His tone switches into a dark flat voice. "Do you know how it is not feeling anything? It's unbearable. It feels as if you are just an observer. You don't feel happy, sad, angry, or any other emotions because you can't!"
"It's sucks. All this time, I've been faking everything! My emotions, the smiles so they think I'm getting better, the teasing, the laughs, they were all fake." Tears stream uncontrollably down his face as my arms pull him into a tight hug.
I knew it. The divorce papers his sister found in his office, the arguments he had with his wife, the constant eeriness following him like a shadow…
(Flash):
Hm… My hands sort through the stacks of papers on his desk. Where on earth does he keep the appeals? I glance at the clock as it ticks. Five more minutes until he gets back. I have to find it! Darn it, why does it always have to be me of all beings?
My eyes land on a sheet of paper. This is… "Why is he writing such haunting words?"
(Flash)
Well, now I know why.
"I just want to feel something, Zach. Is that too much to ask?" A sob takes over him as I hug him harder pressing his body against mine. "And when I do feel something, all I feel is sadness wishing I can be numb forever. I don't know what to do anymore! I just want the pain to be gone."
I gulp as my eyes shut. I should've realized it sooner. The strategic way he communicates… the way he gets injured but no longer flinches as if he couldn't feel a thing… the way he's pushing everyone away yet is still holding onto them. He's crying for help yet we have all been too dense to understand. We've all been fooled by his incredible acting abilities. Damn it!
"Hic," A hiccup fills my ears as he leans back wiping his tears with his fingers. His eyes blink rapidly as they shut for a moment then open them. "I'll repeat, don't tell anyone this happened."
He was just sobbing his heart out a few seconds ago. How can he make this indifferent face like nothing happened?
"You trying to overdose or the crying part?"
"Both." A hand reaches over towards the bottle as he screws the lid back on. "I don't particularly care if they know or not but it'll be a nuisance if they do."
True... But…
I gulp as I stare at him. "Have all the smiles been fake though?"
"I just said-"
"What about when you're with your wife and daughter?" I whisper as he continues to stare at me with a neutral look. "Were you honestly just pretending to care?"
"I…" His left hand clenches into a fist. "I… don't know…"
He… doesn't… know?
Star's POV:
(Flash):
…A field of colorful flowers…
(Flash)
…A little girl in a white dress giving a flower to a little boy with light blue hair…
(Flash)
"Come on!"
"But mommy and daddy-"
A girl struggles in the arms of a boy as he spins her around shaking her body vigorously. "Star, your mom and dad will be fine. We have to get out of here before-"
(Flash)
Why can't I seem to remember the next part? This always happen. It feels like there's something blocking me from remembering what happened next.
I place a hand under my chin as I sit in the gazebo. Also, who was that little kid? Why does he keep popping up? Is he someone important? Perhaps… My eyes widen. He's the key to unlocking my past!
"That's it!"
"What's it?"
My ears perk up at a familiar voice as he sits down beside me. "How have you been doing?"
I must've looked like a total fool just now.
"I'm well. How are things going on your end?"
"Eh," His mismatched eyes wander to the lilies in the pond. "You could say it's going well but at the same time, not."
Oh yeah, the argument…
"I'm assuming you and Lily haven't made up yet?"
"Nope."
A silence rings throughout the air as the soft breeze howls making the flowers sway. I never noticed how beautiful this place is. My eyes drift to his figure as he bears a distant gaze about him. Hm…
"How's everything going with Katherine?" I ask trying to break the silence as he blinks.
"I just talked with her about 5 minutes ago. Everything's going well."
Meaning it's going to plan. That's good to hear.
My eyes drift to the pond once again. The beautiful water lilies float on the surface creating a majestic and calming view. So colorful. But wait a minute…
"Hey um," My eyebrows furrow as I blink at the pond. "I could've sworn the water lilies were lotuses the last time I came here. So why…"
I glance at the guy sitting next to me as a finger points directly opposite the pond.
What the…!
On the other side of the pond, there are lotuses in various colors illuminating the other half of the pond. Oh… but why did he place two flowers in a pond? Wouldn't it make more sense to place only one kind of flower?
"Which do you prefer more?" A voice snaps me from my thoughts as I look at him. "The lotus or the water lily?"
Good question… honestly, they are both really beautiful.
"Is both an option?" A giggle escapes my lips as I glance between the flowers. "Both of them are so pretty."
"Unfortunately, it is not." His monotone voice answers as I raise a brow at his straight face. "Which one do you pick if you must chose one?"
Gee… he's not letting me off easy. And what's up with him today? Not even a smile. Am I boring him? I glance between the flowers once again with a soft sigh. How can I possibly pick between these two? If it were between a rose and a tulip, I would pick a rose. Not that I'm not fond of tulips or anything but the meaning of love behind the rose is truly something.
But… what do water lilies symbolize? Hm… purity? Innocence? Beauty? Resurrection? Enlightenment? Peace? It has multiple meanings across religions.
And lotuses… I remember reading a book on this. They symbolize rebirth, renewal, spiritual growth, enlightenment, beauty, rising above all challenges to reach new heights. Again, the meanings differ from religion to religion.
Now coming to think of it, they are more similar than different.
"I can't decide." I stare at my friend. "What about you? Which would you chose?"
"Well," He places a hand under his chin glancing back and forth between the two. "If I really have to pick, I would go with-"
"Daddy!" A high pitched voice interrupts him as a small figure attacks his legs. "I finally found you."
My lips curve into a smile as he gently pets her head. "Did you need something?"
Her lips pouts with her arms cross. "Do I have to have a reason to see you?"
Gold and silver eyes blink as a body suddenly tackles my legs. "Lady Star! You're here too!"
Lady? I stifle a laugh as my hands carry her to my lap. "Lady? Since when do you refer to me by that?"
"I just learned that it's bad to refer to grownups by their first names."
Oh…
I poke her forehead as a giggle rings out her lips. "But I'm not a stranger so you can refer to me by my first name just fine."
"Yay!"
Hm…
"Melody, which flower do you like more?" I ask as her purple eyes look up into mine. "The water lily or the lotus?"
She blinks blankly. "What's a lotus and water lily?"
My lips curve into a smile once again as I point to the pond. "See that flower?" She nods. "That's a water lily." My finger points to the other side of the pond. "And that one is a lotus."
"Pretty!"
"Mhm. They are very pretty." I nod my head. "If you were to pick one of them, which would you pick?"
"Hm," Her brows furrow as a hand lays under her chin cutely. "I would chose the water lily."
"Oh?" My head tilts a bit as she returns her eyes to me. "Why's that? Don't you like the lotus?"
"Yea but I like the lily better."
"Why?" A voice rings out next to me as our eyes land on his impassive face. "The lotus is far more superior in every way. Why would you pick the lily?"
Far more superior? Um… looks like I know what his choice is. And exactly how is it far more superior? Every flower has a different meaning.
Purple eyes blink for a few seconds. "Because water lily has mommy's name in it."
Huh… My eyes widen as it clicks in my head. Oh… I didn't even realize…
Gold and silver eyes blink as she smiles widely. "And I pick mommy over a flower any day!"
Aw! My arms hug her small body with a warm feeling in my chest smiling widely. "That's so sweet! You must really love her."
"Yup! And you love mommy too, right daddy?"
My friend seems to be caught off guard with that question as he blinks at his daughter blankly. "What did you say?"
Is it me or has he been zoning out quite often?
"You love mommy right?"
He sports a neutral expression as his eyes drift over to the lotuses once again and linger there for a few minutes. I never knew he like lotuses so much. On another note, I haven't seen him smile this whole conversation.
"Dada?"
His eyes then shifts to the lilies on their other side of the pond. What is he thinking about so intensely?
"I like lotuses more." A whisper escapes his lips as we blink.
I figured that was the case.
"Daddy," A breath escapes her mouth. "I'm asking if you love mommy not which flower you like more."
He stays silent as my eyes narrow. The fact that he said that… Gears turn in my brain as a thought suddenly clicks in place. My eyes widen as the man next to me. Does he mean that he doesn't love his wife anymore?! Or am I just reading way too much into this? I have got to stop overthinking his words.