Santiago sat in the quiet of their home, the weight of the decision pressing down on him. Amara's news was still fresh in his mind—he was going to be a father again. This new life, this peaceful existence, was everything he had wanted. But the pull of his old work, the sense of duty, and the case that awaited him, were calling him back into the world he had left behind.
He had promised Amara that he would put their family first, that he would be there for her and Israel, but the idea of returning to the forensic world tugged at him. It felt like unfinished business, something that needed closure. The case in the newspaper seemed important, and with his skills, he knew he could make a real difference. But how could he explain this to Amara?
Sitting at the kitchen table, Santiago stared at the newspaper again, his finger tracing the headline. He hadn't mentioned to Amara how badly he needed this—for himself. He missed the work, the challenge, the satisfaction of solving a case. And now, with a new child on the way, the stakes felt higher. What if he could make a name for himself again? What if this case was his chance to prove himself, to move past the corruption that had nearly destroyed his career?
Amara entered the room, her presence soft but undeniable. She had been quiet all evening, a gentle concern etched across her features.
"Santiago, what are you thinking about?" she asked, her voice calm yet laced with worry.
Santiago looked up at her, his eyes filled with the uncertainty of what to say. "I don't know, Amara. There's a case. It's important, and I feel like I can't ignore it. It's... it's calling to me."
Amara stood still, taking in the weight of his words. She had known this moment would come. Santiago was a man of purpose, and his purpose was to help people—through his work, his skills, his dedication. But at the same time, she didn't want to lose him to the shadows of his past.
"You know I understand your need to work, but..." Amara hesitated, unsure of how to phrase her thoughts. "This is our chance to build something stable. You're about to be a father again, Santiago. How can you go back to that life? To all the danger, all the stress, all the things we've worked so hard to escape?"
Her words cut through him. He understood her fear—he shared it. But the thought of staying idle, of abandoning the opportunity to do what he did best, filled him with a sense of loss. He didn't want to disappoint her, but he also didn't want to regret not taking the chance.
"I don't know what the right thing is anymore, Amara," he said softly. "But I can't ignore it. Not this time."
She sighed, walking over to him and sitting down. "I know you can't. But just promise me that you'll be careful. Promise me you won't let this case pull you too far away from us. From our family."
Santiago took her hand in his, squeezing it gently. "I promise, Amara. You, Israel, and our baby come first. Always."
That night, as they lay in bed, Amara's hand resting on her stomach, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Santiago's decision to return to his old work meant that the peace they had just begun to build could be fleeting. But she understood him better than anyone. He had always been driven, always needed that sense of purpose.
And with a baby on the way, she knew that purpose had to change. It had to shift towards them, towards their future.
Santiago, on the other hand, felt conflicted. As he lay awake in the dark, his mind spinning with the possibilities of the case, he also thought of the new life growing inside of Amara. How would he be able to balance his desire to solve this case, with the responsibility of being a husband and father?
His heart ached at the thought of leaving them behind again. He didn't want to disappoint Amara, but he also knew that this case was too important to ignore. It wasn't just about the work—it was about redemption, about proving that he could still make a difference in the world.
The next morning, Santiago woke up early, his mind already set on the decision he had made. He would go back. But first, he needed to talk to Amara.
Amara was sitting at the breakfast table, her eyes tired but alert. She had always been the stronger one, the one who kept the family together. Santiago respected her more than he could express. But now, it was his turn to prove that he could make things work, that he could balance both worlds.
"I'm going," he said simply, his voice steady but unsure.
Amara looked up at him, her expression unreadable. "I know," she whispered. "I know you will."
"I'll be careful, Amara. I promise."
She nodded, though her eyes betrayed her concern. "Just come back to us, Santiago. That's all I ask."
Santiago leaned in, kissing her gently. "I will. I always come back."
As he left the house to make his way to the police station, Amara watched him from the window, her hand resting protectively over her belly. She didn't know what the future would bring, but she had to trust that Santiago would find a way to make it work. For their family. For their new life.