"Honey" her hushed voice penetrated my ears, and I knew by years of experience that she was hesitant whether or not she should tell me whatever she was about to, or just forget about it.

So I turned to her, putting my book aside to give her my full attention and reassure her that she can tell me all what's weighting her mind "Yes?"

It's funny how with thirty-three years of marriage and three kids and she still feels the need to test waters with me. "i-" she started but ate up all the other words when she closed her mouth and swallowed her saliva out of nervousness.

"Just say it, I know it's about Amanda" that got me a loud and deep sigh from her part, her fear vanishing along with it in thin air, before her muscles relaxed and her lips asked me "Is it that obvious?"

"It has been a while since she came back and I know your head is filled with thoughts and worries about her but you've never let any of them out. Well, except for that one morning"

"I'm... I'm getting a very bad feeling"

"It's okay, you're just overthinking"

"It's not overthinking, it's... I feel that, she is lost"

"Hon-"

"Like she is our daughter from years ago but also not. Sometimes it feels like she is trying hard to go back in time and sometimes it feels like she is back in time... The way she behaves makes me worry for her. She is obliging herself to do something or to be someone.. I-I don't know but I don't like it"

I know... I am completely aware of it, but I had wished that none of you would have noticed it. I had totally forgotten that the heart of a mother is much stronger than any sense of observation

"I'm also afraid that she is not aware of what's truly going on. I mean, Edwin is pursuing her and we can all see that, however, her reactions are somewhat confusing, it's like she's interested in him then she is.. Just. So not interested, maybe even annoyed, i-"

"Honey, she is old enough to know what she is doing. I'm not telling you to stop acting like her mother but she is responsible enough to know what she is supposed to do and she proved it already when she got married then divorced the moment she felt that no one was content or even appreciated what she was doing"

"I" she started but then blocked the words from coming out of her mouth seeling it with her lips

"Say it, what else is making you worry?"

"Nothing"

"Eliz, tell me..." I held her hand in mine to reassure her "We are husband and wife before we are their parents, I am bound to care about you more than I care about them. So you being this way is more stressful to me than Amanda's behavior"

"So you noticed how she-"

"JUST. Tell me, and don't change the subject"

"We've met Henry and we have talked to him, we know what kind of person he was. He went through hardship in his life but still... I know you don't want to talk about him but all of this anger towards him, maybe it's because we are disappointed in him"

"We have the right to be disappointed, honey. You don't need to think about this, it's over"

"What if we wronged him? what if it's Amanda and not him... Maybe she left him no other choice. You know how our daughter can be, she is a sweet girl but she is too logical for her own good, I keep thinking that she is having conflict between her logic and feelings now"

"Eliz, she-"

"She is feeling lost, I can feel her Mike... Our daughter is lost!" her hand left mine when she pulled hers away from my touch using it to wipe her tears away

It's because I know he wouldn't hurt my daughter intentionally and I also know he wouldn't let go of his love for Ivy with that he will never be capable of loving anyone but her... But I had hoped... I had hoped that he would give her a chance. Or maybe I had too much trust in my daughter's ability. In my happy virus' ability to break his walls, but I guess she's turned to break herself instead.

"Go get a rest Eliz. You can trust me with this... She is my daughter the same way she's yours, just try not to be obvious in front of the kids, especially her. You know she can tell"

"I will... And I always trust you" she said taking my hand in hers for the last time, giving it a slight peck and giving me a smile through her tears stained face, drawing one on my own along with hers

"I love you" I said taking hold of the back of her head and pulling it closer to me so I can give her a peck on her forehead hoping that would make her worries vanish away, hoping I would suck them all in me and leave her free.

I waited for her to leave the room before I picked up my phone on the side table by the sofa and dialed Joshua

"Yes dad"

"I need to talk to you when you're back"

one sentence was enough for him to know what to do.

"I won't be late"