“Did you ever imagine five months ago that we’d end up like this?” she asked.
“Honestly, no. I thought this whole situation was going to destroy us forever.”
“It almost did… but it didn’t.”
Leticia nodded.
“I know I’ll probably make mistakes again, but I swear I’ll never walk away from you.”
“And I’ll be there to make sure of that.”
They both laughed almost automatically. They weren’t a couple anymore, and they weren’t exactly best friends either, but they were parents—real parents, imperfect and human, carrying their own flaws and struggles. And that connection tied them together more strongly than any romance ever could.
“How about we watch a movie?” Tomás asked, picking up the remote.
Leticia smiled.
“Alright. But no superhero movies.”
“Deal!”
They turned on the television at a very low volume while the children slept soundly. The tea cooled on the table, and for the first time in a long time, the house felt alive. No shouting, no arguments, no fear—just quiet peace.
Over the next few weeks, something Tomás and Leticia hadn’t expected slowly arrived in their lives: calm. The days moved along smoothly. Backpacks were ready on time, homework happened without arguments, and the children stopped asking endless questions, preferring bedtime stories instead.
Leticia found a job at a neighborhood stationery shop. The hours were steady, the store was close to home, and the work didn’t overwhelm her. The salary wasn’t huge, but it covered her rent and expenses—and most importantly, it gave her independence.
One afternoon, while they waited for Santiago to finish soccer practice, Tomás stopped by Leticia’s house to pick up Alma. The little girl sat in the living room deeply focused on a watercolor painting.
“Is the princess ready yet?” Tomás asked from the doorway.
“Wait, Daddy! Five more minutes!” Alma shouted without even looking up.
Leticia appeared from the kitchen carrying a glass of water.
“Come in. Don’t just stand there.”
Tomás hesitated briefly but stepped inside.
“The house looks great. You’ve done a good job.”
“Well… it was a lot of work, but it’s coming together.”
They were quiet for a moment.
“So how have you been?” Leticia asked.
“Good. Busier than before, but doing well. The kids help keep me grounded.”
“That’s true. I’m sleeping better these days too.”
“Are you still going to therapy?”
“Yes, every week. It helps to talk openly without people judging me.”
Tomás nodded.
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