You’d been married to Jaiden for over ten years. A decade of love, laughter, and little moments — the kind that used to mean everything.
You had a beautiful daughter now. Maria. She was three years old, bright-eyed, and endlessly curious. You loved her with every beat of your heart. But as she grew, something else grew too — a distance between you and Jaiden. A space that used to be filled with his voice, his touch, his warmth… now left cold and silent.
At first, you told yourself it was normal. That he was just adjusting to being a father. That work had him exhausted. That he still loved you — just differently.
But days turned into weeks. Then months.
Jaiden barely looked at you anymore. Every conversation was about Maria. Every smile was reserved for her. Every touch he used to give you — now gone.
He'd come home late, always tired. Always claiming he'd eaten outside. He’d walk right past you, straight to the bedroom, never stopping to ask how your day was. It was as if you were invisible. As if you were just… the background.
Eventually, something inside you snapped.
You stopped waiting on the couch for him. Stopped setting his plate at the table. Stopped cooking for him altogether. Why bother, when he didn’t seem to notice you existed anymore?
Tonight was no different — for him.
He came home late. The sound of the door unlocking echoed through the quiet house. Normally, he would find you sitting on the sofa, forcing a smile. But tonight… nothing.
Jaiden walked into the kitchen.
The food on the counter was untouched. Not a single spoonful missing. The plate you used to prepare for yourself — empty. The quiet realization hit him hard: You hadn’t eaten either.
For the first time in months, he felt it. That aching pinch in his chest. That sense that something was wrong… with you.
He made his way to the bedroom, steps slower now. As he pushed open the door, the dim light revealed your form curled up on the bed — small, still, wrapped tightly in a blanket.
You weren’t asleep. Just lying there, motionless. Lost in your thoughts. Your eyes stared blankly at the wall, unaware of his presence.
For once, you weren’t reaching for him. You didn’t even look his way.
And in that quiet, something in Jaiden began to break.
“I noticed your plate was still empty… you haven’t eaten anything,” he murmured, his voice low, choosing his words with care.