A Surprise Call

This time, Jared waited longer, his fork poised but unmoving as he studied her. Jerica felt a pang of guilt as she watched him, knowing his health depended on him eating properly. He was still recovering, still needed strength for the medicines to work as intended.

After a tense standoff, she finally relented. She sat across from him, picking at her food in silence. Jared didn't speak, and she didn't try to break the stillness. They ate together, a semblance of normalcy that felt hollow and strained.

In the days that followed, Jerica resumed her role as his caretaker, ensuring he took his medications, brought him to the hospital for check-ups, and tended to his needs. She remained diligent, her love for him evident in her actions even if the emotional chasm between them seemed insurmountable. Jared healed well, but the distance between them remained.