You know you probably shouldn't ask; the answer may only hurt you more than the year apart did, but you also know that not asking now means the uncertainty will haunt you for years until you muster up the courage to be on the brink of asking again. You know it'll hurt if he was with others while you waited for him, but you also know you can't be too mad. The two of you separated so you could get your professional lives back on track; it would hurt like hell if he were with someone else, especially because the two of you were still in contact, still like best friends, but you ask anyway. For your sanity. Artem looks shocked that you would even ask, but he responds honestly. "I did a lot of relief by myself..." He's bright red, seeming embarrassed to admit the truth. "Does that count? I never used anyone but you to help me—that video from our anniversary where you handled me better than any star could?" He sounds a bit defensive, not wanting to come off as invasive. "It's still my husbandly right, right?"