The next morning came with a sense of peace I had not felt in a long time. As I got ready for work, I glanced at Rose sleeping beside me, her face calm, her breathing soft and steady. For the first time in months, she looked truly happy. It warmed my heart more than I could ever explain.
I kissed her forehead before leaving. She stirred lightly but continued sleeping with a small smile on her lips. That single smile carried me through the morning.
At the office, everything seemed to fall into place. My team was in high spirits, the quarterly reports were above expectations, and even the market trends were favoring us. Around midday, my phone buzzed.
It was a message from Nicolas.
> "Landed safely in Tanzania. The air feels different here. I already feel lighter. Thank you, Max. I'll make you proud."
I smiled at the screen, a heavy weight lifting from my shoulders. I quickly replied.
> "Focus on healing, Nick. That's all that matters. Proud of you already."
I put my phone down and dove back into work. My plans with Rose kept dancing in the back of my mind. I could already picture her excitement as she and David worked on the trip details. For the first time, I felt like I was doing everything right, balancing work, family, and love.
I was reviewing a set of documents, pen in hand, when a knock came on my office door.
"Come in," I said without looking up.
David walked in, his expression tense. My secretary rarely looked shaken, but today his face was pale.
"Sir," he began carefully. "We just received an urgent call from our suppliers in Asia, there's a major disruption. Shipments are at risk, and negotiations with local authorities have stalled. They're requesting your presence immediately."
My head snapped up. "What kind of disruption?"
He handed me the report. "Unforeseen regulatory block. If unresolved in the next seventy-two hours, production will be halted. It could affect half our quarterly revenue."
For a moment, I said nothing. This company had taken decades to build. Thousands of employees depended on it. I knew I couldn't ignore this.
I stood abruptly and began packing my files.
"How soon is the flight?"
"In four hours," David replied quietly.
I nodded. "Book it. I'll head home now to pack. Keep Rose updated on the trip arrangements in my absence."
David hesitated. "Sir… should I inform her?"
"No," I said quickly, my chest tightening. "I'll tell her myself."
The drive home felt longer than usual. Each turn of the wheels echoed a growing ache inside me. I had just promised Rose a trip she would plan from her heart. And now I had to tell her I was leaving her again.
As I walked into the house, the sound of Rose's soft humming greeted me. She was sitting on the couch, brochures spread out on the table. She looked calm, peaceful, and genuinely excited. When she saw me, she smiled.
"You're home early," she said lightly, holding up a brochure. "Look at this one. It's even better than I imagined. David says we can get a private beach..."
I didn't move. She noticed immediately. Her smile slowly faded, but she remained composed.
"What happened?" she asked, her tone neutral, unreadable.
"I have to leave," I said quietly. "There's an emergency in Asia. I need to fly out tonight."
Rose stood still for a moment. She didn't react emotionally. She didn't cry or raise her voice. She simply closed the brochure gently and placed it on the table. Her eyes met mine, calm, steady but in that calm, there was something deeper. A quiet disappointment. A silent hurt.
"I see," she said softly.
I stepped forward. "Rose, I swear I'll make it up to you"
She nodded once, cutting me off gently, not rudely. "Of course. Work is important. I understand."
Her voice was controlled, almost emotionless, but the slight tremor in her hands betrayed her.
"You can still go on the trip first," I suggested. "I want you to enjoy it even if I can't be there yet."
She gave a small, polite smile. One that didn't reach her eyes. "A solo trip," she repeated, as if tasting the words. "That sounds… lovely."
But the flatness in her tone said everything. She wasn't going to argue. She wasn't going to cry. She was retreating inside herself putting up a wall, the kind that scared me more than any tears would.
I took her hand, but she didn't squeeze back. She didn't pull away either. She just stood there, quiet, distant.
"I'll be back soon," I said softly.
She nodded again. "Safe travels, Maxwell."
No "I'll miss you."
No "Don't go."
Just two words. Calm. Collected. Final.
I leaned in to kiss her. She allowed it, but her lips were still, emotion hidden beneath composure. It hurt more than if she had fallen apart.
And as I walked out the door, leaving in a hurry, I knew one thing for certain…
This time, I didn't just leave her behind.
I left her silently slipping away from me.