The evening descended slowly, casting a golden-orange hue across the sky, slipping gently through the windows of the living room. Leana was still seated on the sofa, cradling Sean in her arms, who had just finished nursing. The baby now slept soundly, his breathing calm, his tiny lips occasionally twitching as if he were dreaming.
Leana gazed at that innocent face with a whirlwind of emotions. Today had been overwhelming. Kiandra's visit, the truth about Dion, and all the stories buried in silence, everything came rushing back, shaking her heart that was still trying to stay upright.
Just then, the sound of a car pulling into the driveway reached her ears. Leana turned, wondering who had arrived. Moments later, the door opened, and the familiar sound of footsteps approached.
"Leana?" Revan's voice called from the door.
Leana stood, carefully lifting Sean, and walked toward the voice. The moment she saw Revan's tired yet comforting face, something inside her crumbled. She wanted to be angry, to demand answers, to understand everything, but more than anything, she just wanted to be held.
"You're home," Leana said softly.
Revan gave a weary smile. "Sorry I'm late. The meeting went longer than expected."
Leana nodded and offered Sean to him. Revan took the baby gently into his arms. His face softened as he looked down at the child he had been raising all this time, without many explanations.
"He's gotten bigger," Revan murmured.
"Revan …," Leana called quietly.
He looked up at her, their eyes locking in a long, silent exchange. No words were needed; the weight of everything passed between them in that gaze.
"Is there something you want to say?" Revan asked softly.
Leana took a deep breath. "I know about Dion. And Maria. And Sean."
Revan froze slightly, his grip on Sean tightening. But he didn't deny it. Instead, his eyes slowly dimmed.
"I've been meaning to tell you for a long time," he finally said. "But I was afraid. Afraid you'd leave again."
Leana bit her lip, holding back the storm in her chest. "Why didn't you tell me from the start?"
Revan looked at her, his eyes now glistening. "Because I thought … I no longer had the right to explain anything to you. I was the one who let you go, Leana. I didn't chase after you. And finding you wasn't easy."
Leana stepped closer. Gently, she took Sean from his arms and laid him in the crib in the corner of the room. The baby remained asleep, unaware of the tension surrounding the people who loved him.
Then, Leana stood very close to Revan.
"You know something? I was wrong too. I left because I was hurt, but I never stopped loving you," she said hoarsely. "And now, I just need to know, do I still have a place by your side?"
Revan raised his hand and gently cupped her cheek. "That place has always been yours. It never changed," he whispered.
Leana's eyes welled with tears. She closed them and leaned against his chest. Revan wrapped his arms around her tightly, as if trying to make up for all the time they had lost.
In that warm embrace, Revan kissed the top of Leana's head. And Leana, with a heart full of wounds and hope, looked up. Their eyes met again, and in a soft breath, their lips touched in a brief, tender, but deep kiss.
It wasn't a kiss of passion, but a confession. That the feeling still existed, still lived on.
When they finally pulled apart, Leana rested her forehead against his.
"There's so much we haven't talked about," she whispered.
"I know. But tonight, can we just be silent? Can we just enjoy being with each other, without the pain of the past?" Revan asked.
Leana nodded softly. "Yes. I want that too," she smiled. "Now, go take a shower. I'll prepare something to eat. You must be hungry. Have you eaten?"
Revan shook his head. "No time. I just wanted to come home and make sure you were here."
Leana chuckled lightly. "I'm not going anywhere. Now go. Let Sean sleep." She gently pushed Revan out of the room.
While Revan went upstairs to his bedroom, Leana headed to the kitchen to cook for the two of them. Earlier, before Revan arrived, she had also given food to the gatekeeper who monitored security, someone she was meeting for the first time, as she hadn't stepped out of the house before.
The food was ready just as Revan came back down and joined her at the dining table.
They didn't speak for a while, focusing only on the meal. Afterward, Leana began washing the dishes, knowing Revan must be tired.
"I'm not tired," Revan suddenly said as he walked up behind her and hugged her from behind. "Seeing you here with Sean takes all my exhaustion away," he confessed.
Leana smiled. Her hands continued working at the sink.
"Revan!" she cried when he playfully tickled her sides. "That tickles!"
Luckily, she had just finished the dishes and only needed to tidy up. But Revan didn't stop he bent down and kissed her neck, making her lift her head quickly.
"Revan!" Leana snapped, but he didn't stop.
Hurriedly washing her hands clean, she turned around and glared at him.
"Stop that!" she scolded.
But Revan, being Revan, wasn't one to obey so easily, even after saying he wouldn't cross any lines. He captured her lips again in a gentle kiss, lifting her and setting her down on the kitchen counter without breaking it.
"Revan!" Leana gasped again as his large hand slipped under her shirt, trailing from her stomach to her chest. "Stop!" she said firmly.
This time Revan stopped, but pouted.
"Come on, you just lost your wife. How could we do this now?"
Revan was silent but leaned in to peck her lips again.
"It's fine. I'm not crossing the line. Are you still sore down there?"
Leana's eyes widened. "Don't even think about going near there, even if it's healed."
"Why not?"
"Revan! You need to make things clear first."
Revan grinned. "So, you want to be Mrs. Rayder, Na?"
Leana's eyes grew even wider at his words. She swatted his arm lightly.
"That's not what I meant. But—"
"It's okay. I get it." Revan smiled. "Let's go to bed. I want to sleep with you tonight. I promise I won't do anything, just sleep and hold you."
He picked her up again, refusing to put her down, and she finally gave in.
They sat together on the bed, watching Sean sleep peacefully. And that night, amidst the fading rain and the soft glow of warm lights, they found each other again. Slowly. With wounds th
at hadn't yet fully healed but with love that remained, even after all the storms that once tore them apart.