r 3: G

et to restock their groceries. Their supplies were running low, and

d waiting in the long checkout line, two hours had passed by the time she was done. By the

ut away the groceries. Once everything was sorted, she gathered the dirty lau

a pulled out her phone from the pocket

ime are you

eared. It wasn't surprising. Lucas rarely replied to her messages. Letting out a sigh

, her phone buzzed.

call

nto a small smile as s

dad and I miss you dearly!"] her mother's vo

er's affectionate tone. "I miss you both

ent was almost contagious. Almost. ["And don't forget to bring Lucas! Spe

hesit

dged her presence? That he only came home when it was convenient for him? That

"Of course, Mom. You know

li

one, she to

f to tell her parents the truth. Her father had never been too fond of Lucas t

miss having kids running around the house. Your brother is hopeless! He refuses to settle down. We're relying on you! It's been three year

her ches

ba

children. S

when her husband barely looke

chuckle. "Mom, Lucas and I are still young. There's a right

than enough time! Don't tell me you're still in the honeymoon phase?"] her mother teas

h. If only her mother knew h

moon

on. She was all alone during th

ve of her? The idea

dn't care le

down the bitter thoughts. "Mom, stop teas

onfusing. But really, think about it, okay? I'd love a grandchild! My fri

. He's already thirty-five. You

married to his job. At this rate, he might as well sign a contrac

But you know, that's what makes him attractive.

ds these days and your stran

r long-winded story about her youth. Lara winced as

s her lips together,

Her mother gasped. ["I'd love to chat more, dear, but I have to go. Just don't forget about

oo, Mom. Enjo

u, sweethe

ra let out a deep sigh and pl

ation had be

of lying to them weighed heavily on her chest. It was one of the reasons she rarely visited home.

nvince her emotionally distant husba

What

y. The washing machine had finished, so she moved the clothes to the dryer. Once th

he had already done the laundry, she figu

e expected. Everything was neat and o

nd carefully arranging them in his closet. It wasn't often that sh

ing to the sheets and pillows. Without thinking, La

ed just

she closed her eyes. If she imagined hard en

ss-things she had longe

ew it, she had dr

⫘

awake, hea

blinked at the un

s' r

p abruptly, glancing around. The sheets were slightly rumpled

wasn't

hone, she checked

ally slept

ghtened the sheets and left

was eeri

no sign

tled in her chest. H

her phone and checked her

the screen before she

re you? Are y

wa

te. No r

tes. Stil

utes. S

ip, she trie

have dialed can

h twisted

e is

n cold but he was never this late. He

wed at he

through her head, each

? Was somet

he with so

e her chest tig

r eyes shut, sh

o

to let her m

he clinking of utensils against her plate was the only sound in the house. By the time s

ees to her chest. The TV flickered in the

ed her ph

l no

no L

ightened arou

orried anymore. S

he hell