Mian POV
Morning arrived quietly.
For the first time in years, I woke up without pretending everything was fine.
The exhaustion was still there.
The fear hadn't disappeared.
But neither had the memory of last night.
When I had asked for help...
they came.
No questions.
No hesitation.
They simply came.
I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the pale sunlight spilling across the floor.
A gentle knock came at the door.
"Come in."
It was Isle.
She smiled awkwardly.
"I made breakfast."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Should I be worried?"
She laughed.
"Probably."
For a brief moment, the heaviness between us eased.
---
Kael POV
Breakfast was quieter than usual.
Nobody forced conversation.
Nobody pretended everything had returned to normal.
Healing wasn't that simple.
As Kael reached for his coffee, the doorbell rang.
Once.
Then twice.
The Husband frowned.
"Were we expecting someone?"
Everyone shook their heads.
He walked to the front door and opened it.
Standing outside was a tall man in his late twenties.
He wore a dark blue shirt with rolled-up sleeves, carried a worn leather backpack, and had a warm smile that didn't quite hide the nervousness in his eyes.
"Good morning," he said politely. "I'm looking for Mian."
The Husband studied him.
"And you are?"
The man smiled.
"My name is Robert."
"I think... she'll remember me."
---
Mian POV
The moment I heard that name, time seemed to stop.
Robert?
No.
It couldn't be.
I walked into the hallway.
Our eyes met.
For a heartbeat, neither of us spoke.
Then he smiled exactly the way he used to.
"You've gotten terrible at writing letters."
I stared at him in disbelief.
"You..."
He chuckled.
"It's been twelve years."
"I thought you moved overseas."
"I did."
"And now I'm back."
---
Isle POV
I'd never seen Mian look so surprised.
Not frightened.
Not guarded.
Just... surprised.
It was almost refreshing.
Robert stepped inside after introducing himself to everyone.
He greeted Kael with an easy handshake and thanked the Husband for letting him in.
He had a calm confidence about him.
Not loud.
Not arrogant.
Simply comfortable.
As though he belonged wherever he stood.
---
Robert POV
Seeing Mian again hurt more than I expected.
She looked successful.
Elegant.
Composed.
But her eyes...
They weren't the eyes of the girl who used to race me through muddy fields just to prove she could win.
They carried years of loneliness.
He had recognized that look the moment she opened the door.
She was still carrying something she had never put down.
And that broke his heart.
---
Mian POV
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" I asked.
Robert rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.
"I wanted it to be a surprise."
"You always did enjoy dramatic entrances."
"I learned from you."
For the first time in days...
I laughed.
A genuine laugh.
Not forced.
Not polite.
Real.
Everyone in the room noticed.
Kael exchanged a quiet glance with the Husband.
Neither interrupted.
Instead, they simply watched Mian become someone they had never met before.
Someone lighter.
Someone whose smile reached her eyes.
---
Final Scene
As the afternoon sun warmed the garden, Robert and Mian walked slowly beneath the old trees.
"You've changed," Robert said gently.
"So have you."
He smiled.
"Maybe."
After a moment, his expression grew serious.
"But one thing hasn't."
She looked at him.
"You still carry everyone else's pain before your own."
Mian lowered her eyes.
Robert continued softly,
"You don't have to do that anymore."
She didn't answer.
But for the first time...
She wondered if he was right.
Far behind them, standing at the window, Isle watched the two childhood friends talking.
A small smile appeared on her face.
Maybe...
just maybe...
someone from Mian's past had returned at exactly the right time.
End of Chapter 68