It was a quiet Tuesday.
The kind of day where nothing loud happened—but something small still shifted.
Ana moved around the apartment a little less talkative than usual.
She wasn't cold.
Wasn't angry.
Just… distant.
The kind of distant that wasn't about him—
But somehow felt like it could become about him if he didn't pay attention.
🧠 Christian Noticed
She paused before laughing at his joke.
She stood longer than usual at the window.
She said "I'm fine" with a smile that felt like maybe she wasn't.
Old Christian would've let it slide.
Waited for a confrontation.
Justified it in his head as "she's probably tired."
But this time?
He sat beside her on the couch, placed his phone face-down, and asked:
"Did I miss something… or did I miss you today?"
Ana looked at him, surprised.
He wasn't defensive.
He wasn't fishing.
He just felt her.
She shook her head. "It's not a big deal. I'm just… off."
He didn't let her brush it away.
"Even when it's small… I still want to meet you there."
🙏 The Quiet Apology
Then, he reached for her hand.
Not squeezing. Just holding.
"If I added to the weight without knowing…
I'm sorry."
Ana's eyes filled.
Not because she needed the apology.
But because she didn't have to fight to earn it.
She leaned into his shoulder, exhaling.
Finally said:
"You didn't do anything wrong. I just had one of those days where I wanted someone to notice."
He smiled softly, kissed the top of her head.
"I'll keep noticing."
And that was it.
No argument.
No ego.
No fixing.
Just awareness.
Softness.
Love that doesn't need to be asked to show up.
To be continued…