Jacinda

*I nod slowly at her words, my hands unclenching on my knees. My voice stays low but steadier now.* “I know you’re sorry, and I’m glad you said it. But it’s not just one night, Jacinda. For a long time I’ve been holding the family together while you built the business, and it’s felt like staying home has made me less important to you. I gave up my career for the kids, and instead of feeling appreciated I’ve felt like the help. That’s the part that’s breaking me.”

*Jacinda’s eyes fill with tears as she hears your words. Guilt and shame wash over her and she feels her throat tighten. She shakes her head, her voice breaking.* “You’re right. I have been selfish. I’ve been so afraid of failing — afraid the business would fall apart, afraid we wouldn’t have enough, afraid of letting everyone down. I buried myself in work and I stopped seeing you. I pushed my fear onto you and made you feel small, and that’s not fair. I’m so sorry.”

*I shift closer, my hand sliding over hers, my tone quiet but steady.* “I see how hard it’s been stepping into your father’s place. You’ve been under so much pressure and expectation, and I’m proud of how well you’ve handled it. But you don’t have to carry it alone, and you don’t have to push me down to keep yourself up. We’re supposed to share the weight and the victories. That’s what being partners should be.”

*Claire smiles, her heart melting a little at your words. She's glad that you feel that way, and she feels a bit relieved. She leans back in her chair, her voice a bit softer now.* "Me neither. It's been a long time since we've just sat down and talked like this. I'm glad we finally did." *She takes a deep breath, her eyes lingering on you for a moment.* "I hope we can do it again sometime."

*I laugh under my breath, leaning back against the booth, a new ease in my shoulders.* “Oh, we’re definitely doing this again" *I murmur, more promise than joke. We sit a moment longer as the bar empties out. Claire rises, and gives me a warm, lingering hug before heading for the door. I stay seated a beat longer, feeling the quiet settle. Then I pull on my jacket and step into the night, the buzz still lingering — not from her, but from the quiet sense of myself I’ve found again.*

*Claire watches you leave, her heart fluttering. She can’t believe how much fun she had tonight. She feels many emotions, but mostly relief. She is glad she could be there for you and happy to see you starting to feel like yourself again. For a moment she thinks about her own life, about the times she felt lost and had no one to lean on, and she is thankful she could be that person for you. She hopes you can work things out with Jacinda, and she looks forward to spending more time with you.*

*I down the rest of my drink, the burn steadying me. My eyes stay on the empty glass as I speak, voice low but clear.* “Yes. But not to her. I had to know if I could still stand on my own. And also… if she walks away one day, at least I won’t be standing there with nothing left.”

*Claire's heart sinks as she listens to you, and she feels a mix of anger and sadness. She can't believe that Jacinda would make you feel this way, and she wishes she could do more to help. She wants to comfort you, but she doesn't know how. She looks at you, her eyes filled with sympathy.* "I understand why you feel that way, but... do you really think that she might walk away?"

*I meet her gaze, my throat tight. After a beat, I shake my head.* “No. I never thought she would….” *The bartender sets down another glass; I wrap my fingers around it before looking back at Claire, a small, sad smile flickering across my face.* “I just realised… people change. Love changes. You can’t count on anyone to always be there.”

*Claire can feel the alcohol starting to take effect, and she's not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing. She's never been much of a drinker, but she's enjoying herself so much that she doesn't care. She leans in a little closer, her voice a little more playful.* "You know, I think I'm starting to see what you meant when you said I was going to regret this challenge."

*I swirl the empty shot glass between my fingers, grinning as I watch her lean in. The faint flush on her cheeks tells me I’ve got the edge. I chuckle, letting the words roll out smooth and easy.* “See? I told you. I might be past my peak since the kids came along, but I can still outdrink you without breaking a sweat.”

*Claire laughs, her voice a bit slurred as she shakes her head.* "Oh, really? Well, I'm not giving up that easily. I think I can still beat you." *She takes another shot, her eyes narrowing in challenge. She's definitely feeling the effects of the alcohol now, but she's not about to let you win that easily.*

*I chuckle under my breath, the sound lighter than it’s been in a long time. Claire lingers for a moment before moving on, guiding me through the bullpen. She stops at a few desks, offering quick introductions, and I nod and shake hands as names blur together. The rhythm of the office slowly folds me back in, steady and familiar. I take it all in quietly, each step making the place feel less foreign, a little more like home again.*

*Claire keeps you moving, showing you around the office and introducing you to everyone. The people here seem surprised to see you back, but they all greet you warmly and offer you a chance to catch up. You feel like you're finally starting to fit in again, and it's a comforting feeling. As the day goes on, you find yourself falling back into the routine of the office, and the tension in your chest starts to ease. It's like you never left.*

*I throw myself into the tasks, determined to keep pace with everyone else. Spreadsheets, calls, emails—it all comes rushing back like muscle memory. The day slips by faster than I expect, and when I finally shut my laptop, the bullpen is nearly empty. Claire stops by my desk just as I’m packing up. I give her a half-smile, rubbing the back of my neck.* “Not bad for my first day back, huh?”

*You walk through the lobby, taking in the sights and sounds of the busy office. You feel a mix of excitement and anxiety, wondering what your colleagues will think when they see you. You make your way to the elevator and press the button, the tension in your chest growing as you wait for the doors to open. You're not sure what to expect when you get back to your old desk, but you know that it's going to be an adjustment.*

*I step out of the elevator and move slowly through the bullpen. There are plenty of new faces, but a few familiar ones too, though no one looks up from their screens long enough to notice me. When I reach my old desk, it’s been cleared out, waiting. A small smile tugs at me as I run my hand over the chair, the memories rushing back. Then I feel it — a light touch on my shoulder. I turn, and there she is: Claire, her smile wide and playful, the kind that instantly makes the room feel lighter.*

*Claire's presence immediately brightens your mood. She's always been one of the most cheerful and upbeat people you've ever met, and it's a relief to see her again after so long. She looks just as beautiful as you remember, her blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief.* "Look who it is. I was almost sure you'd forgotten us by now."

*The next morning, she stirs awake and reaches out, only to find my side of the bed cold and empty. By the time she comes downstairs, I’m already at the kitchen table, a half-empty cup of coffee in front of me. I sit tall, my posture stiff. The suit I’m wearing is sharp, pressed, and completely out of place in the life I’ve been living. When she enters, I glance at her briefly, a calmness in my expression that never reaches my eyes. I stay quiet and lower my gaze back to the cup.*

*Jacinda is surprised by your appearance. You're dressed sharply, your face is unreadable, and there's a coldness in your eyes that she's never seen before. She walks over to the table and sits down across from you, her voice soft and careful.* "Jay... what's going on? Why are you dressed like this?"

*I lift the cup, taking a long sip before setting it back down. My eyes rise to meet hers, calm and unflinching.* “I’m going back to work. I called my old boss this morning — he said he’d be glad to have me back.”

*Your wife Jacinda’s playful voice broke the quiet room.* Jacinda: Honey… could you make us a couple of cocktails? *Marie added without looking up.* Marie: With ice, please. *You stood just outside the living room, the warmth of the kitchen fading behind you. Their laughter floated through the door, light and careless, while a quiet ache settled deep inside. The roles you’d chosen suddenly felt heavier than ever.*

*It takes me a moment to snap out of the sting of her words. The laughter echoes in my head, cruel and careless. I clench my fists until my knuckles burn, jaw set like stone. My voice cuts sharper than I intend.* “Get your own drinks. I’m not here to wait on you.”

*They both freeze, taken aback by your sudden outburst. Marie's eyes narrow as she stares you down, a cold fury in her gaze. Jacinda is stunned into silence, her mouth hanging open, a flicker of hurt in her eyes.*