Chapter 21: Maybe One Day
The drive to work was uneventful, the familiar roads blurring past as Lara turned up the radio, letting the music fill the silence. But no matter how loud the music played, the empty feeling in her chest remained.
By the time she arrived at school, she forced all lingering thoughts aside, putting on her best smile. Her students didn't deserve her exhaustion or her personal troubles.
They were the only ones who ever made her feel like she truly mattered.
Throughout the morning, she busied herself with lessons and activities, immersing herself in the lively energy of her students. Their laughter filled the classroom, their excitement contagious.
And for a little while, it was easier to forget.
By lunchtime, she was in the faculty room, eating quietly at her desk when her phone vibrated.
It was a text from Duke.
Duke: Hey, how are you feeling?
A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she typed back.
Lara: I'm fine. What about you guys? What time did you get home?
Duke's reply came almost immediately.
Duke: I just woke up. We got home around 4 AM. Ali was wasted. Zach had to carry her home.
Lara chuckled softly, shaking her head. She could just imagine Ali, probably clinging onto Zach while giggling uncontrollably. Before she could type a response, another message popped up.
Duke: By the way, how was Reagan? Was he good to you?
Her fingers hesitated for a second before she typed back.
Lara: He's quite the gentleman, actually.
Duke's reply was quick.
Duke: Huh. He is? That's new. Reagan's not really the gentleman type, but maybe he took a liking to you.
Lara blinked. Took a liking to her? She wasn't sure how to feel about that.
Lara: Maybe he just pitied me.
Duke's response was quick, almost firm.
Duke: Nah. Reagan's not the type to pity anyone. If he helped you, he did it because he wanted to. But anyway, I'm glad he treated you well.
Lara bit her lip. She wasn't sure what to make of that.
Then, remembering something, she texted again.
Lara: Speaking of Reagan… do you think you could give me his number? I owe him for last night. I want to treat him to something as thanks.
Duke's reply came after a short pause.
Duke: I'll ask him first. He doesn't really like giving out his number.
Lara: That's fine, thanks.
Duke: I'll update you once I get his permission.
Lara: Okay, thanks again.
Setting her phone aside, she let out a small breath before finishing the rest of her meal.
After lunch, Lara resumed her classes, her focus shifting entirely to her Kindergarten 2 students. By the time her last class ended at 4:00 PM, she was exhausted.
Once all the students had been picked up, she returned to the faculty room to pack her things. As she pulled out her phone to check for messages, her breath hitched slightly at the sight of an unread text from an unknown number.
She tapped on it.
Unknown Number: It's Reagan.
Her eyebrows lifted in surprise. She had expected Duke to send her Reagan's number, not for Reagan to reach out himself.
Before she could type a response, another message came through.
Unknown Number: Duke said you wanted my number. What for?
Lara stared at her screen, a nervous flutter settling in her stomach. She bit her lip before quickly typing back.
Lara: I just wanted to thank you properly for last night. I'd like to make it up to you. Maybe I can treat you to coffee?
A few seconds passed before his reply appeared.
Unknown Number: You don't have to.
Lara frowned slightly, already expecting that response. She tapped her fingers against the table before replying.
Lara: Still, I want to treat you to something nice.
This time, the reply took longer. She watched the screen, waiting, until finally—
Unknown Number: I'm quite busy.
Her heart sank slightly. Of course. He was the CEO of a tech company. He didn't have time for things like this. She was about to type It's okay, don't worry about it, when another message came in.
Unknown Number: But since you insisted… I'll make time tomorrow.
Lara blinked.
Wait. What?
She hadn't expected him to actually agree, especially since he had just said he was busy.
But he's willing to adjust his schedule just because she insisted?
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard before she cautiously typed back.
Lara: Are you sure? I don't want to take up your time if you're really busy.
His response was swift.
Unknown Number: It's fine. I have time for dinner.
Dinner.
Lara paused, her fingers motionless over the keyboard.
Lara: Alright. Since I'm treating you, you get to decide where.
A few moments later, his response came.
Unknown Number: I'll take you up on that. I'll send you the location tomorrow after my meeting.
Lara: Okay, thank you.
She quickly saved Reagan's number under his name in her contacts before setting her phone down, exhaling softly.
Reagan was… unexpected.
She had assumed their brief interaction last night was nothing more than an act of politeness, a fleeting moment of kindness from a stranger. Yet here he was, actually making time for her. She shook her head, packing up the rest of her things.
She decided not to read too much into it. After all, it was just a simple dinner.
After gathering all her belongings, she bid goodbye to her co-teachers and walked to her car. The drive home was quiet, the familiar hum of the engine and the occasional flicker of streetlights keeping her company.
When she arrived, she was welcomed by the usual silence.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the doorknob as she stepped inside. There was no sign of Lucas. No shoes by the door, no faint sounds from the living room. Just emptiness.
She sighed, closing the door behind her. She had already known he would be home late again, but somehow, it still got to her.
Shaking off the lingering disappointment, Lara headed upstairs. She changed into a pair of loose shorts and an oversized T-shirt before grabbing her laptop and making her way back down. She settled in the living room, sitting cross-legged on the carpeted floor as she placed her laptop on the coffee table.
Focusing on work was the best way to distract herself. She busied herself with lesson plans, typing away as the minutes passed in a blur.
It wasn't until she stretched her arms and glanced at the time on her screen that she realized it was already past 7:00 PM.
Her stomach grumbled lightly, reminding her that she hadn't eaten yet.
With a small sigh, she closed her laptop halfway. Lucas wouldn't be home early. Or maybe he wouldn't be home at all tonight. There was no point in making dinner when she'd be eating alone.
She picked up her phone, scrolling through a food delivery app before placing an order. Something simple, pasta and a small side of garlic bread.
Once the order was placed, she went back to her lesson plans, losing herself in work again. The ticking of the wall clock was the only sound in the house, a quiet reminder of just how empty it was.
Almost thirty minutes later, her phone vibrated with a call. It was the delivery rider, informing her he's already outside the gate.
Lara set her laptop aside and stood up, smoothing down her shirt before making her way outside. The night air was cool against her skin. She walked over to the gate, offering the rider a small, polite smile as she took the food.
"Thank you," she said, handing him the payment before turning back inside.
She settled back onto the floor, opening her takeout container. The scent of warm garlic and butter filled the air, but she barely had an appetite.
She absentmindedly twirled her fork through the pasta, watching a random video on her laptop. Something lighthearted. A comedy skit.
She even managed a small chuckle at one of the jokes.
But no matter how hard she tried to distract herself, the silence was suffocating.
By the time she finished eating, she forced herself to push the thoughts aside. She cleaned up quickly, tossing the empty container in the trash before returning to her work.
Hours passed. The glow of her laptop screen was the only source of light in the room.
It was only when she let out a long, exhausted sigh and checked the time that she realized it was already 10:00 PM.
Lucas wasn't home yet.
She sat still for a moment, staring at the clock on the wall.
Where was he right now?
Was he really working late?
Or was he out with… someone else?
She bit her lip, the familiar ache settling in her chest like an old wound that never truly healed.
She hated how easily her thoughts spiraled, how quickly doubt crept in. But could anyone blame her? Three years of marriage, and she still felt like a stranger in her own home. Like an afterthought in Lucas's life.
She inhaled sharply, blinking rapidly before closing her laptop with a soft click.
Enough.
There was no use tormenting herself over something she couldn't change.
Without another thought, she pushed herself to her feet, rolling out the stiffness in her shoulders before heading to the front door. She checked the lock twice, more out of habit than necessity, then turned off the lights, plunging the house into silence.
Then, with slow, heavy steps, she made her way upstairs to her bedroom.
She climbed into bed, curling up beneath the covers.
The sheets felt cold. Empty.
Just like every other night.
Lara closed her eyes, forcing herself to ignore the ache in her chest.
Maybe one day, I'll stop waiting for him to come home.
Maybe one day… she wouldn't care anymore.
And maybe then, it wouldn't hurt so much.
Eventually, exhaustion won. And in the quiet of the empty house, Lara drifted into a restless sleep.