I woke up later than usual, and Ivan was no longer in bed. It was nearly morning when I fell asleep, so I didn't notice him getting up.
I took a shower before leaving our room, with a smile on my lips, but it quickly faded upon seeing the scene before me. Maureen was here! She and Ivan were sitting together on the couch.
It was already past nine, so my in-laws had left, and Ivan's siblings had also gone to work. I watched the two of them for a moment; Ivan was smiling, and Maureen was talking non-stop. Whenever they laughed, Maureen would hug him, and Ivan would put his arm around her.
I experienced a sudden, intense ache in my chest once more. I believed I might become emotionally numb, but it seemed that I couldn't. The pain was still very real.
I was uncertain whether I should h
