For the first time in a while, Ellie was the first to come up to bed. It was past midnight already, yet Daniel hadn't arrived.
She reached for her phone and dialed his number. A few rings and the call connected.
"When are you going home?" She asked with a yawn. She slid her body from the headframe and lay on her side, facing the empty spot next to her.
"I'll be home soon. I had to talk to the officers and send one of the workers to the hospital. They fought with the thieves, and one got badly injured. Don't wait up and just go to sleep," he answered.
The weariness in his voice made her worried.
"Okay. Don't drive if you're too tired, okay? Be careful. I love you."
"Alright. I love you too."
After the call ended, she closed her eyes, but sleep eluded her. The emptiness and coldness of the other side…was unfamiliar. His after-shower scent that lingered on the bed was untraceable. Lying on an empty bed…was something she wasn't used to.
Daniel was always there.
—
Ellie woke up from the warm feeling touching her cheek. She reached out, thinking it was her husband's hand, but she just touched her cheek instead.
Opening her eyes, she was surprised to see how bright it was already.
The rays of the morning sunshine passed through the curtains by the windows and woke her up. She rubbed her eyes and adjusted them from the sudden brightness.
Noticing the spot next to her was untouched, her brows furrowed.
"He didn't come home…" she mumbled.
She stared at the space, feeling a bit lonely and disappointed. When her phone alarm rang, she pushed the thought to the back of her mind and prepared for the day.
She was heading straight to her office to start working when a foot dangling at the edge of the sofa caught her eye. Slowly, she walked to it and found her husband, sprawled on it.
It was Monday, yet her most punctual husband was still snoring.
But instead of waking him up, she crouched next to his face and caressed the strands of hair that covered his forehead. She planted a soft kiss on it before pulling the blanket to his chest.
Then, she began preparing his breakfast and left a note next to it.
When Daniel woke up, Ellie was in her sanctuary—her office, lost in the world of words she was creating. A space that even he, when the creator was at work, could not enter.
He was used to it.
He was even grateful that she cooked him breakfast, so he went to work in a good mood. He had already memorized her work routine, as well as her work attitude, every time she was working on a new novel.
Any writer does not want to be disturbed when they are writing. They work according to their train of thought. Once it is broken, the words circulating in their minds can go astray, and before they know it, they lose focus.
Her work often became the cause of their small fights in their early years of relationship, but over time, he saw how passionate she was about writing; therefore, he learned to be more considerate and understanding.
—
That evening, Daniel set the dinner table. He made a home-cooked meal for both of them.
Ellie often took a break at dinnertime to chat with him about his day, but at that time, the door in her office wasn't moving. It stayed closed.
He waited for ten minutes, but the food only grew colder. Finally, he walked to her office and raised his hand, ready to knock despite the consequences he would face later.
But then, his fist was caught in the air after hearing her voice inside.
"Yes, I'll make the revisions by next week. No, I don't mind cutting that scene if the screenwriters think it won't work, but I don't think I can erase this other part…We had an agreement. I will submit the first draft…"
Daniel shook his head.
She was passionate about her work, but sometimes, she forgot to take care of her own health and kept on overworking herself.
Once her conversation ended, he knocked and opened the door carefully. Peeking his head at the door, he frowned seeing the untouched food, probably her lunch delivered by Kate.
In a stern voice, he said, "Dinner's ready."
She paused. Then, with a slight glance over her shoulder, she answered, "You can eat first. I'm almost done."
"You didn't even touch your lunch."
"I had snacks."
"And when was that?"
She sighed, then rubbed her nape and replied dismissively, "Dan, not now, please."
Daniel sighed, rubbing his temples.
The least he wanted to do was get in the way of her work, but sometimes, he could feel his patience slipping past its limit. He closed the door before he argued with her.
He sat back on the dining table, alone.
He decided to wait for a few minutes, but she still did not come out. He ate in silence. He was always complimented on his cooking, but at that moment, that food tasted bland.
Hours later, she finally stepped out of her office.
She stretched, cracking her neck, feeling accomplished. She noticed the empty table, and the dishes were already washed.
She blinked.
"Did you already eat?"
Daniel looked at her from the couch, tired and dejected.
"Yeah. Two hours ago."
Ellie frowned. She checked the time. Her face twisted into a grimace, lips pressing together as regret settled in. Looking back at her husband, the words were caught in her throat; seeing his back seemed so lonely.
Something tugged in her heart, and the urge to slap herself was great.
"I'm sorry. I didn't realize it was that late," she muttered quietly.
He let out a small laugh, but it didn't sound alright.
"Yeah. You never do."
She froze. Guilt crept in.
"I said I'm sorry. I just—"
"Forget it."
He waved his hand dismissively and focused on the late-night news on the television.
A long silence reigned in the room. Noticing the shadow of his wife still standing behind him, he pinched the bridge of his nose and looked back.
"Should I reheat the food for you?"
She frantically shook her head.
"I'll do it, but… can I eat next to you?"
Daniel stared at her, gauging her intention.
She fidgeted with her fingers, hoping to receive a positive answer. Daniel sighed again, and it made her slump her shoulders in disappointment. She forced a smile and took it back.
"...I'll just eat at the table."
Then she walked away dejectedly.
"Come back here once you reheat your food," Daniel said, a bit louder for her to hear.
He knew how lonely it could feel eating alone, and she had had enough of those days. He was upset, but he didn't want her to be reminded of her old days.
Her ears perked up in joy.
"Really?"
Daniel nodded. He gave her a subtle smile.
"Let's watch a movie together."
Filled with joy, she ran back to him and kissed him on the cheek. Then, she hurried to the kitchen to get her dinner.
Daniel's heart lightened a bit. They still had time to salvage together. He chose a movie. She came holding a bowl and her tumbler. She sat next to him, and Daniel pressed play.
They watched in silence.
Half an hour into the movie, Ellie finished eating. Another half passed, and her head drooped onto his shoulder already. She fell asleep.
He watched her, a tired chuckle escaping his lips.
His gaze flickered on the bowl of food on the table; half of it was uneaten, even though it was her favorite dish. He gently adjusted her so she was more comfortable, but his chest felt so heavy.
He didn't try to wake her. He just finished the movie alone.