I never expected to see my wife – not after the way she left.
Not after sleepless nights, the endless questions of our children, the overwhelming loneliness of the reconstruction of life that broke. Yet she was there, sitting alone in a café, tears on her face like a spirit from the past that I fought so hard.
For a moment I wondered if I imagined her if my mind was playing tricks on me. But when our eyes met, I knew it was real – and no doubt I knew that whatever he was going to say would change everything.
It is a strong, emotionally graspable piece with excellent stimulation and body depth. You did a great job and depicted David’s fighting, resistance and final decision. The tension is well maintained and Anna’s return feels tragically and realistic.
If you want to further specify it, here are some thoughts:
Deepen Anna’s perspective – even if we look at her regret, it may be even more effective if we saw a little more of her inner conflict than she left or over the years. Maybe a gentle help about why she did not return earlier could add complexity.
Increasing the emotional conflict – David’s reaction is firm (which makes sense), but perhaps a flashing of hesitation or inner struggle could feel even more serious.
More sensory details – you already have strong descriptions, but adding another sensory depth (weight of exhaustion, hollow feeling of abandonment) could even more absorb it.
Conclusion
When I sat in the silence of my apartment, the weight of the last two years settled over me. Ann’s return raised old wounds, but also strengthened what I already knew – my children and I built something strong in her absence. I wouldn’t allow it to suddenly regret it, it broke up.
Perhaps, in time, if she proved to have changed if she proved to Max and Lily in a way she had never had before, there could be room for her in her life. But it wasn’t a decision I could make for them. It would have to be under their conditions, not hers.
For the time being, I would continue forward, just as I had from the day I left. My children were my priority and the life we have rebuilt is worth protecting. No matter what happened next, I knew one thing with certainty – we’ll be fine.