Mian POV
For the first time in years...
I didn't dread tomorrow.
That realization should have made me happy.
Instead...
It scared me.
Because every time life had given me something beautiful...
It had eventually taken it away.
I stood by the kitchen window, absentmindedly stirring my tea.
The spoon clinked softly against the mug.
Behind me, Robert entered with his usual easy smile.
"You've been stirring the same cup for three minutes."
I looked down.
The tea had gone cold.
"I guess I have."
He leaned against the counter.
"What are you thinking about?"
"The future."
"And?"
I smiled faintly.
"It refuses to answer me."
---
Robert POV
There was something I hadn't told anyone.
Not Kael.
Not Isle.
Not the Husband.
Not even Mian.
I had delayed it for three days.
Maybe because I was selfish.
Maybe because I wanted just a little more time.
My phone vibrated in my pocket.
A message.
Flight Confirmation – Monday, 9:45 AM.
I closed the notification without opening it.
---
Isle POV
Something was different.
Robert smiled as always.
He joked with Kael.
He helped the Husband repair the garden fence.
He teased Mian until she rolled her eyes.
Yet...
Every now and then...
His smile faded when nobody was looking.
As though he were counting down to something.
I noticed.
And judging by Kael's expression...
So had he.
---
Kael POV
That evening he found Robert sitting alone on the back steps.
"You've been hiding something."
Robert sighed.
"I'm not very good at it, am I?"
"No."
Silence settled between them.
Finally Robert spoke.
"I have to leave."
Kael looked at him.
"When?"
"Monday."
"That's only four days away."
"I know."
"Is it permanent?"
Robert shook his head.
"No."
"But I have responsibilities overseas."
Kael nodded slowly.
"So why haven't you told her?"
Robert smiled sadly.
"Because she only just started smiling again."
"I didn't want that smile to disappear because of me."
---
Mian POV
The next morning everyone decided to visit the nearby lake.
The same lake Robert and I used to visit as children.
The water shimmered beneath the afternoon sun.
Children fed ducks along the shore.
Families spread picnic blankets beneath the trees.
For the first time in years...
I wasn't here to think.
I was here to enjoy myself.
Robert nudged my shoulder.
"See that tree?"
I laughed immediately.
"The one you fell out of?"
"I slipped."
"You were showing off."
"I was demonstrating confidence."
"You landed in mud."
"I landed with confidence."
I laughed so hard people turned to look.
I didn't care.
Not anymore.
---
The Husband POV
Watching Mian laugh...
He realized something unexpected.
He had spent years trying to protect her.
Without ever asking what she actually needed.
Sometimes...
Protection wasn't solving every problem.
Sometimes...
It was simply giving someone the freedom to become themselves.
He silently thanked Robert.
Not for changing Mian.
But for reminding all of them who she had always been.
---
Evening
Back at the house...
Robert finally gathered everyone in the living room.
His hands were shoved into his pockets.
He looked unusually nervous.
"I need to tell you something."
The room grew quiet.
"I have to return overseas."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Mian stared at him.
"When?"
"...Monday."
The smile slowly disappeared from her face.
"So soon?"
He nodded.
"I've already extended my stay twice."
Nobody spoke.
The clock ticked softly on the wall.
Finally Isle asked,
"Will you come back?"
Robert smiled.
"Yes."
"This isn't goodbye."
"It's..."
He searched for the right word.
"A promise."
---
Mian POV
That night...
I couldn't sleep.
Not because Robert was leaving.
Because I realized something.
The old me would have panicked.
I would have convinced myself everyone eventually left.
That history was repeating itself.
But...
As I sat by the window...
Another thought quietly appeared.
People could leave...
Without abandoning you.
There was a difference.
A very important difference.
A gentle knock interrupted my thoughts.
Robert stepped onto the balcony.
"I thought you'd be here."
"I couldn't sleep."
"Neither could I."
He handed me a small envelope.
"Don't open it until after I leave."
I looked at it curiously.
"What's inside?"
"If I tell you..."
He smiled.
"It won't work."
I rolled my eyes.
"You're still mysterious."
"I've always been dramatic."
"That too."
We stood side by side beneath the stars.
Neither trying to fill the silence.
Neither afraid of it.
Finally Robert spoke.
"You know..."
"What?"
"I'm proud of you."
My throat tightened.
"For what?"
"For choosing yourself."
The words settled gently in my heart.
Not loudly.
Not dramatically.
Quietly.
Exactly where they needed to be.
---
Final Scene
After Robert returned to his room...
I looked down at the unopened envelope.
My name was written across the front.
In the same familiar handwriting from years ago.
This time...
I smiled.
Not because I knew what it said.
Because I knew something far more important.
Whatever was inside...
I would actually get to read it.
Some letters arrived late.
Some people returned after years apart.
Some promises took longer than expected.
But perhaps...
Late didn't always mean lost.
As I placed the envelope carefully inside my sketchbook...
The wind carried the scent of rain through the open window.
Tomorrow would bring another goodbye.
But this time...
I wasn't afraid.
End of Chapter 76