In the quiet of the evening, amidst the scattered shopping bags and the weight of misunderstanding, I stood behind her, enveloping her in a tender embrace. The air hung heavy with unspoken words, each breath a testament to the rift that had formed between us. I could feel the tension in her body, the silent protest of hurt and disappointment.

As I held her close, the echoes of her anger reverberated through the room, a reminder of my shortcomings and the distance they had created. Yet, in that moment, all I could feel was the warmth of her presence, the familiar curve of her back pressed against my chest. Damn it, I wish I hadn't missed her birthday.

"Mi Amor," I whispered, my voice barely more than a breath against her ear. "Please forgive me. I cannot bear the weight of your silence, the emptiness it brings."

For a moment, there was only the sound of our breathing, the steady rhythm of our hearts beating as one.