“I love you too.” Her voice is already fading, exhaustion pulling her back under.
Within minutes, she’s asleep again, her body relaxed and trusting in my arms.
I stay awake a while longer, just holding her, memorizing the feel of her against me.
Eventually, I ease out of bed and pull on my pants.
My mind is too active for sleep, and I have paperwork that needs attention.
I press one more kiss to her forehead before heading downstairs to my office.
The house is silent as I make my way through the darkened hallways.
I’m thinking about the security review, about Tony’s transition into his new role, about the shipment schedules that need?—
I stop dead in the doorway to the dining room.
Candles.
At least two dozen of them, now burned down to stubs, wax pooled on the elegant holders.
The table is set for two with our best China, crystal wine glasses catching the moonlight streaming through the windows.
Covered dishes sit in the center, the food inside long since gone cold.
My stomach drops.
She’d done this.
Sophia had set up a romantic dinner for us.
She’d probably spent hours planning it, coordinating with Elena, choosing the menu, lighting the candles. Waiting for me.
And I’d missed it completely.
I move closer, my hand hovering over one of the plates. There’s a small card propped against my wine glass.
My fingers shake slightly as I pick it up.
I miss you. I miss us. Please come home to me tonight. —S
The words hit me like a physical blow.
While I’d been in that conference room, dealing with business that could have waited, she’d been here.
Alone.
Hoping I’d notice.
Hoping I’d choose her over the empire for once.
I sink into one of the chairs, the card still clutched in my hand.
The candles have burned themselves out.
The food is ruined.
And upstairs, my wife sleeps, probably thinking I didn’t care enough to even acknowledge her effort.
