Sophie watched him disappear into another room, her heart a mixture of gratitude and disbelief. She and the girls settled onto the plush couch, and for the first time in a long time, she felt a glimmer of hope.
Later, as the twins slept peacefully in a guest room, Sophie found herself sitting across from Alex in the kitchen, a steaming mug of tea in her hands. The kitchen was quiet, save for the ticking of a clock and the occasional rustle from outside.
“Why are you doing this, Alex?” she asked softly, needing to understand his sudden reappearance and generosity.
He met her gaze, his eyes earnest and steady. “Because I care, Sophie. I always have. I might have taken a different path, but that doesn’t change how much you mean to me.”
