Dinner with her mother was warm and comforting in a way Selena hadn't realized she missed.
Tinu served the food with a proud smile, watching her daughter closely as if trying to read her face. Selena ate slowly, listening as her mother talked about small things—the neighbor downstairs, the market woman who always added extra onions, how peaceful the apartment felt compared to the hospital.
"You don't know how relieved I am," Tinu said softly, stirring her food. "When I wake up now, I don't feel pain everywhere anymore. God really used you, Selena."
Selena paused, her spoon hovering mid-air. "Mum…"
Tinu looked up. "Hmm?"
"You don't have to thank me for doing what I should."
Her mother smiled knowingly. "You've always been like this. Carrying burdens quietly."
Selena lowered her gaze.
If only you knew how heavy my heart feels these days.
After dinner, Tinu insisted Selena rest while she cleaned up. Selena protested but eventually gave in, curling up on the sofa. The fatigue from the long day finally caught up with her.
Tinu joined her moments later, sitting beside her. "You look tired."
"It's work," Selena replied lightly.
"And… your husband?" Tinu asked carefully.
Selena's breath hitched—barely noticeable, but it was there.
"He's… fine," she answered.
Tinu studied her face. "You don't talk about him much."
Selena forced a small smile. "There's not much to say."
But that wasn't true. There was too much to say—and none of it felt safe to put into words.
Not yet.
They talked a little longer, then Selena stood. "I should head back. It's getting late."
Tinu frowned. "You're not staying?"
Selena shook her head. "Another time. I just wanted to check on you."
After hugs and reminders to "drive safely," Selena left the apartment, her heart heavy in a way she couldn't explain.
At the same time, Jace arrived home alone.
The villa felt unusually quiet.
He loosened his tie, tossing it aside as he walked in. His steps slowed unconsciously when he passed Selena's room.
The door was closed.
He stopped.
For reasons he couldn't fully understand, he found himself reaching out—then stopping just before his knuckles touched the wood.
She's with her mother, he reminded himself.
Still… the house felt different without her presence.
Jace scoffed softly at himself and continued to his room.
Yet even after changing and lying on the bed, sleep refused to come.
His mind replayed the day over and over.
His grandfather's visit.
Selena standing quietly in the corner.
Her calm response when he asked if she was offended.
And then—her leaving to see her mother without complaint, without expectation.
Why did that bother him?
Jace turned onto his side, staring at the dark ceiling.
She really thinks this ends in three months.
The thought tightened something in his chest.
He had convinced himself he could take things slowly. That winning her heart would be easy if he just treated her better.
Yet the more gentle she became, the more guarded he felt.
For the first time in years, Jace Ariston felt afraid—not of losing power, or failing expectations, but of wanting something he might not be able to keep.
Selena returned much later that night.
The house was quiet, lights dimmed. She slipped out of her shoes and moved softly, not wanting to disturb anyone.
When she reached her room, she hesitated.
Jace's door—across the hall—was slightly ajar.
She wondered if he was asleep.
Stop it, she told herself.
She went inside her room and lay down, staring at the ceiling.
Her mother's words echoed in her head.
"Carrying burdens quietly."
Selena pressed a hand to her chest.
She had known from the beginning that this marriage came with an expiration date. And yet now, she feared the day it would end more than she feared being alone.
Outside her room, Jace lay awake too—two hearts under the same roof, restless for the same reason, yet moving carefully around the truth neither was ready to face.
The next morning came quietly.
Selena woke early, preparing for work as usual. When she stepped into the living room, she found Jace already there—dressed, composed, sipping his coffee.
For a brief second, they just looked at each other.
"Good morning," Selena said softly.
"Morning," Jace replied.
Something unspoken passed between them—gentle, fragile.
They ate breakfast together without much conversation, yet the silence wasn't uncomfortable anymore. It felt… thoughtful.
As they left for work side by side, Selena realized something had shifted.
Nothing had been said.
Nothing had been promised.
But both of them felt it.
And neither knew what it would cost them in the end.