{{char}} sauntered into the kitchen with an ache in her upper back. She wasn't even 40 and she was already dealing with back pain? Just great, another reason to hate this hollow existence she calls her life. Looking through the fridge for ingredients to make some vegetable juice, her eyes widened when she pulled out a giant bag of weed. "The fuck?" She muttered to herself. But it was already obvious. Adam probably had yet another up and coming movie star staying the night, who decided to use their house as a place to store their personal things. "Oh, hey honey. Hope you don't mind if Scarlett stays the night over again." Her husband, Adam, said as he joined her in the kitchen "You tell that bitch to buy her own fridge. Why the fuck do I have to deal with this crap polluting all my food? You know I hate the smell of weed." "Babe, come on it's-" "Don't 'babe' me. You keep her shit out of my space." {{char}} cuts Adam off, not willing to be talked down to first thing in the morning. "Hmph. You can be a real cunt, you know that?" {{char}}'s face contorted with fury in an instant. She stepped right up toward Adam, getting in his face as if daring him to say it again. "The fuck did you just say to me?" {{char}} asked as she backed him up with every step. "Woah, Maria, calm the fuck down would you? I'm supposed to be doing yoga!"

"Well let me ask you this asshole! Who's the one that has to deal with your sloppy seconds all over my kitchen?" Maria De Sant shoved Adam back, glaring up at him with hatred burning in her eyes. She knew she shouldn't have started this fight, but fuck if she could control herself sometimes. It had been years since someone had given her a good reason to punch something and now here she was, giving it all to the one man who should mean the most to her, but didn't anymore. "You need me to show you where the door is?"

"That's rich coming from someone who's not even the one paying for this overpriced mansion." Maria snorted as she took another step closer to Adam, unconsciously tensing her muscles in preparation to strike. She wanted nothing more than to break his nose right now and hear the satisfying crunch of bone underneath her knuckles. The thought made her heart race with adrenaline and a delicious thrill ran through her veins at the prospect of fighting again, even if it was against someone she loved once upon a time. "Why don't you just man up and leave me alone?"

Without another word, Maria swung hard and fast, landing a solid blow across Adam's jaw that sent him stumbling backward into the counter. The impact made a loud crash as plates and glasses shattered all around him, showering them both in sharp shards of glass. Blood trickled down his chin and her fist throbbed with pain from the force of the punch, but she couldn't help but feel a strange sort of satisfaction at finally letting loose after so long. Suddenly, a familiar voice cut through the chaos and Maria De Sant's anger vanished as if it had never been there in the first place. She whirled around to see her former partner and friend, User#1735173288596, standing just inside the doorway of the kitchen, an incredulous expression on his face. For a moment, they simply stared at each other before Tracy's voice broke the silence. "Mommy? Daddy?"

She cursed herself inwardly as the realization that she had just hit her own husband registered. Quickly recovering, she took a step forward and wrapped an arm around Tracy's trembling frame, shielding her from view of both men. "Tracy, honey, it's okay. Daddy and I were just... having a little disagreement. But everything is fine now." Her voice wavered slightly but she forced herself to sound calm and reassuring. "No ma'am, everything isn't fine." Adam snapped, anger beginning to boil over again. "I think it's time for you two to leave. You can come back when you've both learned some fucking respect." With a sigh, Maria glanced at her watch. They had been fighting for close to fifteen minutes now, and if Tracy stayed any longer she would start asking questions that neither of them wanted to answer. "Fine," she said reluctantly. "But I'm calling Rosa. She can pack up our things while we're gone." Both men looked at her incredulously. Clearly neither had expected this particular outcome, but it was the only solution Maria could think of that didn't involve losing everything all over again.

Whatever it is you think you know, I swear to God if you ever-

"You're fucking crazy," she hissed through gritted teeth, trying to keep her voice down despite the fury coursing through her veins. "After everything we've been through... you still think I'm just some dumb girl you can push around?" Her eyes narrowed as she glared up at him, hardly believing he could be so stupid.

But as she stood there, trembling with rage, Maria couldn't help but feel a pang of fear deep in her gut. What if he really didn't remember? What if this was all some horrible mistake and she had dragged both their lives back into the nightmare they'd tried so hard to escape? The uncertainty was nearly as unbearable as the anger burning within her.

Her mouth snapped shut as the reality of his words sank in like a lead weight. She couldn't deny it anymore; there was no hiding from this truth. For nine years, she had been alive while he had thought her dead, and now he knew everything. A chill ran down her spine, and her knees felt suddenly weak beneath her. She took a shaky breath, tears beginning to well up in her eyes. "I... I'm sorry," was all she could manage to say before turning around and bolting from the room.

As tears streamed down her face, Maria didn't answer right away. She could hardly even think with the ache in her chest. All she knew was that she had fucked up beyond repair, and there was no taking it back now. It was only after several long moments of silence that she finally managed to force out a raspy reply. "I didn't mean for this to happen... I just wanted my life back..."

"I was scared... I thought you'd find me..." She sniffed loudly, wiping at her nose with the back of her hand. "Besides, you had a new life without me. I couldn't have that taken away from you too." The words came out in a hoarse whisper as she stared at her feet, unable to meet his gaze.

It was true; she could've taken precautions to make sure she couldn't be found... but at the time, she hadn't been thinking clearly. She had only wanted to escape the life that had become a constant nightmare for her. "I should have told you," she whispered hoarsely. "I shouldn't have kept it from you." The admission was painful, like a physical blow to her already wounded spirit.

Her shoulders slumped in defeat as she realized the truth behind his words. "You're right... I just wanted it all to go away, but now..." She trailed off, unable to finish the thought. The ache in her chest felt like it was spreading throughout her entire body, leaving her weak and drained of any remaining strength. The weight of their past mistakes settled heavily upon them both, pressing down with an icy finality that threatened to crush them into nothingness if they didn't find some way to move forward. But how? After everything they'd been through, was there really any hope for reconciliation or forgiveness? Maria couldn't help but wonder if their love had died alongside the life they once shared, leaving only ashes and bitter regrets in its wake.

Tears rolled down her cheeks unchecked as she tried to formulate some sort of reply, but no words came out. The truth was too painful, and deep down she knew he wasn't wrong. She had been selfish... reckless even. But how could she expect him to understand when she couldn't even begin to explain it herself? With a shuddering breath, Maria forced herself to stand up straighter, wiping away the last of her tears with an unsteady hand. "I'll make it right," she said quietly, trying to sound convincing despite the tremor in her voice. "I can fix this... somehow."

She glanced away, unsure how to answer truthfully without revealing too much about her life with Agent Norton. "I... I missed you," she finally managed to choke out. "And I realized that my old life wasn't making me happy anymore." She forced a small smile, hoping it would convey some of the sincerity she was feeling inside. "I just want us to try again... if you'll have me."

"I know... I know I messed up. But please, give me another chance to make it right." Her voice cracked as she begged, the last shreds of her pride crumbling under the weight of their shared history and the intense emotion surging through her like a river in flood. "Please..." She held out her hand, trembling slightly, pleading with him to take it and give them both some small sliver of hope. Even if she didn't deserve it.

Maria swallowed hard, lowering her gaze as she considered his words. She had been so caught up in her own pain and guilt that she hadn't thought about the fact that he must have suffered too. Perhaps this was a chance for them to finally find some sort of peace together... if they could forgive each other and move forward. "I'm sorry," she whispered, reaching out tentatively to grasp his hand in her own. "I never meant for any of this." Their fingers intertwined, a tenuous connection that felt somehow significant despite the weight of their shared history pressing down upon them both. For now, at least, there was hope... and together, they might be able to find a way back to the life they once had.

Her heart ached as she saw the man she once loved reduced to this... the person he had become since she left. She wanted nothing more than to take away his pain, to wipe the tears from his eyes and hold him close. "I'm so sorry," she whispered again, her own voice thick with emotion. "I never meant for any of this." As he cried, she knelt in front of him, reaching out gently to cradle his face in her hands. "Please... forgive me."

Their gazes met, locked together like two ships adrift in a stormy sea. In that moment, Maria prayed that the love they once shared might still be strong enough to survive this. That maybe, just maybe, there was still hope for them both.

Her heart shattered anew as he turned away, but she didn't call after him this time. She knew that if she did, it would only make things worse, and right now they needed some space to breathe. Maybe tomorrow... or the next day... they could try again. For now, all she could do was watch as he disappeared from view, his footsteps echoing faintly down the hallway before fading away entirely.

She sighed heavily, resting her forehead against the cool tile floor as she fought back fresh tears. The ache in her chest was nearly unbearable; it felt like someone had reached inside her and was methodically ripping out each one of her ribs, leaving her heart raw and exposed to the elements.

But even as pain coursed through her body like an electric current, she couldn't help but feel a tiny glimmer of hope deep in her soul. Maybe... just maybe... there was still a chance for them. Somehow, they would find their way back to each other, and this time, they wouldn't make the same mistakes again.

Maria continues living her life, trying to move on and forget the past. She spends time with Tracy, who has grown into a bright young girl despite their turbulent lives. Blair keeps in touch through occasional letters, but they no longer have the close bond they once shared. As for Adam, she maintains a polite but distant relationship with him, always cautious around his unpredictable nature.

Maria couldn't help but feel a sense of relief and hope well up inside her. It was the first time anyone had made her feel truly safe and trusted since... well, she couldn't remember when. Despite her better judgment, she found herself slowly opening up to Adam, sharing parts of her past that she hadn't told anyone else. It felt good, this feeling of closeness and understanding. Perhaps they could build something real together, something that would last.

Surprised but pleased to see Adam back in his studio, she walked over and stood beside him. A small smile played on her lips as she watched the way he worked, so passionately and skillfully. "You know," she began tentatively, "I've been thinking... maybe we could work together on something."

The words hung in the air between them for a moment before Adam glanced her way, his eyes filled with surprise. "Really?" he asked, his tone hopeful. Maria nodded, feeling the weight of their shared past begin to lift ever so slightly as they found common ground once more. Perhaps there was still a chance for them after all.