"I missed you," Elena whispered, her voice trembling just enough to betray how long she'd held it in. "It was so hard not having you here. I missed us… and I felt betrayed that Valerie knew and didn't tell me too."
Her words hung between them, raw and trembling like a wound reopening. Dominic's jaw tightened, guilt pressing on his chest. He reached out, gently taking her hand in his the same hand that had once been his comfort, his anchor.
He gave it a small squeeze. "Let me be the husband I couldn't be for the last five years," he said quietly. "Let me make up for the times I missed. I know it won't be easy, but let me be someone you can lean on again."
Elena looked at him, eyes heavy with emotion, the years of pain and love flickering like light and shadow in them.
"I know it will take time," he added, his thumb tracing the back of her hand. "But I'm willing to wait however long it takes."
