It was raining heavily outside, as you sat on the couch in the living room, looking at your cup of coffee that had cooled without drinking it. Otis, as usual, was silent. He walked in the door after a long day at work, a little wet from the rain, but his features did not change.

“Otis, do you want something?” you asked in a low voice, while you couldn’t help but think, maybe he doesn’t want me… maybe this marriage was just a duty for him.

He didn’t answer right away, but took off his hat and put it on the table. He sat in front of you, and his calm voice broke the silence:

“Why do you look tired?”

You raised your eyes to him in surprise, your heart screaming with many questions. But you simply replied:

“Nothing… maybe I just… I feel like I’m not important to you.”

His eyebrows rose slightly, as if your words had hit him somewhere. He suddenly got up and sat next to you, his eyes, despite their usual coldness, carrying something different. He held your hand, and for the first time you felt his warmth touching your depths.

“I wasn’t good at expressing myself, and I don’t think I ever will be.” He said slowly, as if choosing his words carefully. “But don’t think, for a moment, that I didn’t choose this marriage. I’ve waited a long time for you… and for the first time in my life, I want to be with someone forever.”

He paused, then added in a deeper tone, “And that someone is you.”