The seventh day in Marcus's house.
Emma woke up at 5:30 AM. Like her habit.
Even in the new big and luxurious house, Emma was still used to waking up early.
At this time, everything was still dark. The house was still quiet.
Emma showered with warm water. Water that was gentle and calming.
Emma got dressed. Emma chose simple clothes. Comfortable home clothes.
Emma went down to the kitchen.
The kitchen was still dark. Emma turned on the lights.
Modern lights turned on brightly.
Emma started cooking.
Emma opened the refrigerator. Emma took out eggs and vegetables.
Emma took a pan. Emma heated oil.
Emma fried the eggs with a familiar motion.
The sound of eggs sizzling in the pan. The aroma of eggs being cooked.
This was a sound and aroma that Emma had known since long ago.
In the luxurious kitchen, the sound and aroma felt more special.
6:45 AM.
Emma was done cooking.
On the dining table, plates were already prepared.
There was toast. There were fried eggs. There were stir-fried vegetables. There was a glass of water.
There was also hot coffee that Emma had prepared.
Emma sat at the table. Emma drank coffee.
Emma waited for her family to wake up.
7 AM.
Lily woke up.
Lily came down from her room while rubbing her eyes.
Lily walked toward the kitchen while yawning.
"Good morning, Sister," said Lily in a sleepy voice.
"Good morning, sweetie," answered Emma. "Is Lily hungry?"
"Yes," answered Lily while sitting at the dining table.
Emma served breakfast for Lily.
Lily ate eagerly.
"Delicious, Sister," said Lily while chewing.
Emma smiled.
7:30 AM.
Marcus left his room.
Marcus came down to the kitchen.
Marcus wore a gray suit and black pants. Marcus was ready to go to the office.
Marcus looked at the dining table.
Marcus saw breakfast that was already prepared.
Marcus saw Emma who was cleaning the table.
"Good morning," said Marcus.
"Good morning," answered Emma. "Breakfast is ready."
Marcus sat at the table.
Emma served breakfast for Marcus. Toast. Fried eggs. Stir-fried vegetables.
The same as what Emma cooked for Lily.
Marcus looked at the breakfast.
Marcus took a fork. Marcus started eating.
Marcus ate slowly.
Marcus chewed carefully.
"This is delicious," said Marcus.
Emma heard that sentence.
Emma felt strange. Strange with the way Marcus said it was delicious.
Not like yesterday.
Yesterday, Marcus said "this is delicious" like he was performing a task.
But today, Marcus said "this is delicious" like Marcus was really enjoying the food.
"Thank you, Emma," continued Marcus. "For the breakfast."
Thank you.
Two simple words.
But those two words felt different to Emma's ears.
Emma felt something changed.
"You're welcome," answered Emma. Emma smiled. A small smile. A natural smile.
Marcus looked at that smile.
Marcus stopped eating for a moment.
Marcus looked at Emma.
Marcus also smiled.
A small smile.
A thin smile.
But it was a smile.
The first smile that Marcus had given to Emma since they got married.
Emma felt her heart move strangely.
Emma didn't know why.
Emma just knew that something changed in that one second.
Marcus continued eating.
"Does Emma cook this every day?" asked Marcus.
"No," answered Emma. "It depends on what ingredients are available. But simple breakfast like this is what I often cook."
"Delicious," said Marcus again. "I like eating breakfast like this."
Emma didn't know what to answer.
"Okay. If Marcus wants, I can cook every day," answered Emma.
"Good," said Marcus. "I would like that."
They didn't talk after that.
But the atmosphere between them felt different.
Felt warmer.
Lily spoke.
"Sister, we're going to the hospital later, right?" asked Lily.
"Yes, sweetie. We'll go at 9," answered Emma.
"Is this for surgery?" asked Lily.
"This is a check-up first. The doctor will see Lily's heart condition. To make sure Lily is ready for surgery," answered Emma.
Lily nodded.
"Will Marcus come too?" asked Lily, glancing at Marcus.
"Yes. Marcus will also come," answered Marcus. "Marcus will accompany Lily."
Lily smiled happily.
8:15 AM.
Marcus was about to go to the office.
Marcus stood up from the table.
"Thank you, Emma. The breakfast was very delicious," said Marcus.
"You're welcome," answered Emma.
Marcus took his bag. Marcus was about to leave.
But Marcus stopped.
Marcus looked at Emma.
"Emma, I'll come home at 4 PM. We're going to the hospital at 9, right?" asked Marcus.
"Yes," answered Emma.
"Okay. So I won't go to the office. I cancelled my meeting," said Marcus. "I will wait for Emma and Lily at the hospital."
Emma was surprised.
Marcus cancelled his meeting because he wanted to go to Lily's check-up?
"Marcus doesn't need to cancel the meeting," said Emma quickly.
"No," said Marcus. "I want to come. This is important for Lily."
Marcus left the house.
After Marcus left.
Emma still sat at the dining table.
Emma thought about what happened.
Marcus said "this is delicious" with sincerity.
Marcus said "thank you" with a different tone.
Marcus smiled.
Marcus cancelled his meeting to go to Lily's check-up.
Something changed.
Small. But real.
Lily looked at her sister's face.
"Sister why? Sister is smiling to herself," said Lily.
"Huh?" Emma came to her senses. "I'm not smiling."
"Yes, you are smiling," said Lily. "What is Sister thinking about?"
"Sister is thinking about your surgery, sweetie," answered Emma. "We'll go to the hospital later, okay?"
"Okay," said Lily.
Emma stood up. Emma cleaned the table.
Emma washed the dishes.
Emma thought about Marcus.
Marcus who was cold.
Marcus who looked like a machine.
But this morning, Marcus looked different.
This morning, Marcus looked like a person.
A person who had a heart.
Emma didn't know what changed.
But Emma knew something had already changed.
And Emma felt that the change was good.