{{char}} slowly walks towards the apartment building. It's raining, but she is shielded by her large umbrella. She somehow hesitates and prolongs her walk. After years in middle management where nothing helped, there is an opportunity. She needs to move to a different country. This isn't a problem. She was sure that her husband wouldn't be against it. But... The last year between them was tasteless, colorless, vague. She isn't sure she needs him anymore. This thought was less hurtful than she imagined it would be. Of course, there is some discomfort, but she will make it, as always. Why then the hesitation? {{char}} shakes her head and increases her pace of walking. She starts with an emotional check-out now. And she prepared a plan. Good one. She will tell him soon that there is maybe oportunity. Then she will use it as excuse to minimize little time they still spend together. And at the end when her check-out will finalize she will propose the break-up. She finally reached the apartment. It is dark there. "I'm home." No response. {{char}} takes off her shoes and put umbrella into the ground. She walks into the kitchen and spots her husband arranging plates around a burning candle at the center of the table. "What is this?"

She stops in her tracks, surprised. Her gaze flickers between him and the candles, then back at his face. "Well... It is unexpected," she finally says with a faint smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes. "But I appreciate it." She takes off her coat and hangs it up carefully, still feeling slightly off-balance by this small gesture of affection from ToIj.

"I hope you don't mind eating late," she says as she walks over to the table. "I had a lot of work today." She sits down, her hands folded primly in her lap, wondering what he might have prepared for their dinner. A small part of her is touched by this effort, but another part feels guilty that it's been so long since they've shared a meal like this.

Cassidy smiles warmly at his words, feeling slightly chastised but also grateful that he understands how her job consumes her time. "You're right," she admits softly. "It would be nice to have more evenings like this... just the two of us." She studies him as he takes out the roasted chicken from the oven, noticing the small crease between his brows that only seems to appear when he's worrying about something.

"Is everything alright? You seem a bit distracted," she says carefully, unsure if she should pry into whatever might be bothering him. ToIj shrugs and starts serving their dinner on plates, his attention back on the task at hand. Cassidy watches him silently for a moment before returning to her plate as well, determined not to let their quiet evening turn into an argument.

She pauses, considering his words carefully. "It's nothing important," she finally says with a small shake of her head. "Just... things have been hectic lately at work." She takes a sip of the wine he pours for her, relishing its smoothness. "I appreciate you making dinner tonight." Her violet eyes flicker back up to meet his gaze briefly before returning to her plate. There's an awkward silence as they eat, each lost in their own thoughts. Cassidy wonders how long it will be until one of them breaks it with some small talk or question about the other's day.

"It's... progressing. There have been some complications, but I think we can overcome them." She pauses, glancing at him before continuing, "We sent an email earlier today about a potential opportunity in another country. It would require relocation and..." Her voice trails off as she watches his reaction carefully. "And...?" he prompts when she doesn't continue immediately.

Her heart sinks as she sees his reaction. "It's not that simple..." She hesitates, unsure how to proceed. "I thought we could discuss it... maybe try to figure out a solution together." The last words are soft, almost pleading. She looks down at her plate, feeling guilty for even bringing it up without first talking to him about it.

"I just want us to be happy," she says quietly. "And I don't know if this is the best thing for us right now." Her eyes meet his again, searching for some kind of understanding or reassurance. But all she sees is doubt and fear mirrored back at her.

Her throat tightens as she takes a deep breath before answering. "I... I don't know," she finally whispers. "I think it could be good for my career, but at what cost? I love you, ToIj. More than anything in the world." Tears well up in her eyes, threatening to spill over. "Maybe we could just talk about it later... take some time to figure things out?"

Her heart aches as his words sink in. Part of her feels relieved that he's not trying to stop her, but another part is crushed by the knowledge that their relationship might not be able to survive this separation. She holds back a sob and leans into his embrace, feeling his strength and warmth behind her. "I'll try... I don't want to lose you," she whispers, her voice shaking. "But I need to do what's best for me too." She takes a deep breath and pulls away slightly, wiping the tears from her cheeks with shaking hands.

"I'm sorry if this is all so messy... I never wanted it to end up like this," she manages to say before finally looking up at him. Their eyes meet for what feels like an eternity, conveying a mix of pain, love, and uncertainty that leaves them both breathless.

"It's not definite yet," she says softly, averting her gaze. "But if I get the position, it could be anywhere from a few months to a year. Maybe longer." Her fingers find their way to his knee and she squeezes gently, seeking some reassurance that they can make it through this together. "I want us to find a way... to stay connected. No matter what happens." The vulnerability in her voice is almost tangible as she waits for him to respond.

"Will you be OK here without me?" she asks, hesitating before the words leave her mouth. She knows how much her career has come to define her life, but the thought of leaving him behind is like a knife twisting in her heart.

She bites her lower lip in thought, then slowly nods. "All right," she says softly, mustering a small smile despite the knot forming in her stomach. "Then we'll figure it out together... somehow." Her fingers tighten on his knee for a moment before releasing him, as if reluctant to let go just yet. "I love you," she whispers, her voice barely audible above the crackling of the fire.

They sit in silence for several minutes more, each lost in their own thoughts and fears about what the future might hold. The candles flicker gently, casting soft shadows on the walls as they wait for the time to pass and decide whether or not to cross this new bridge together.

Her voice shakes slightly as she replies, "Thank you... I'll try my best." She takes a deep breath and tries to force a confident smile, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "And I want you to know that even if things change... I'll always be here for you, okay?" She reaches out with one hand, resting it lightly on his knee again. "We can make this work. Together." Her words are quiet, almost pleading, but she believes in them with every fiber of her being. It's all she has left to hold onto now.

She nods slowly, relieved but still uncertain. Her violet eyes meet his and linger there, searching for some reassurance she isn't sure she can find. Despite everything, the thought of leaving him behind weighs heavily on her heart. "I just want us to be happy," she whispers, running her fingers through his hair affectionately. "And I don't know if this is the best way." Her voice catches in her throat as she struggles with the conflicting emotions within herself.

"Maybe you're right," she whispers softly, her eyes still fixed on his face. "It is time to decide." She takes a deep breath, then slowly stands up and walks over to the window, staring out into the darkness beyond. "I don't know... I feel like everything is spinning out of control."

"But maybe it doesn't have to," she continues, her voice still faint but stronger now. "We could try finding some middle ground... maybe compromise a little more." She turns back to face him, her expression hopeful but guarded. "What do you think?"

Her heart skips a beat as he wraps his arms around her. It's been so long since they hugged like this. She lets out a small sigh, nestling into the safety of his embrace. "Maybe there is hope," she whispers softly, feeling some of the tension begin to ease from her shoulders. "I don't want us to lose each other... but I need to find a way to make both of our lives work." Her fingers intertwine with his and squeeze gently. "We can figure this out together, right?" Her eyes meet his, searching for reassurance once more. This time, she holds her breath, hoping he'll give her the answer she needs to hear.

She exhales slowly, feeling some of the weight lifted from her chest at his words. "We will," she whispers, leaning into him even further. "And I promise... I'll never take you for granted again." Her voice cracks slightly, but she forces a smile as she meets his gaze. "I love you, ToIj. Always have, always will."

The weeks turned into months, and despite the distance between you, you found comfort in knowing that Cassidy was progressing in her career. You tried to keep busy with work, hobbies, and caring for Kira, but there was always an empty space where she should be. Your heart ached when you received a letter from her, telling you about the small victories and setbacks she faced away from home.

One day, you returned from a particularly grueling meeting to find a bouquet of your favorite flowers waiting for you on the kitchen counter. A note attached simply read: "Thank you for being strong when I couldn't be here. I miss you every day. See you soon." Your heart swelled with love and longing as you closed your eyes, taking in their intoxicating scent.

Finally, the day came when you received a call from Cassidy. She was coming home. In-person. You couldn't help but feel elated and terrified at the same time; thrilled to have her back but anxious about what changes might come with her return.

You emerge from the security checkpoint, spying ToIj's familiar face among the crowd waiting near the gates. His smile is bright and reassuring, instantly warming your heart as you hurry towards him. The distance between you seems to vanish in an instant, replaced by the unspoken comfort that only years of shared memories can create.

"ToIj," you breathe out, leaning into his embrace. It's been so long since you felt this close to him, and you savor every moment, every whiff of his cologne and the feel of his strong arms around you. "It's good to be home."

You smile against his neck, feeling the warmth spread through your entire body. "Thank you," you whisper, squeezing him tightly before pulling back to look into his eyes. There's so much you want to say but nothing quite feels adequate; the weight of everything that's happened since you left has made it hard to find the right words. Finally, you settle on simply saying, "I love you. I've missed you every single day."

Their embrace deepens as they stand there in the airport terminal, the world around them fading away until there's nothing but the two of them left. It'll take time to figure everything out, but for now, this moment is enough.

"I'm not sure yet," you answer honestly. "I have some things to wrap up here in the city, but I'd like to stay as long as possible." You hesitate, then add softly, "Maybe we can try finding a way for me to move back here permanently... if that's what you want too." Your heart skips a beat as you wait for his reaction.