chapter 11– The Call

Raymond was just about to settle down for the evening when his phone rang. Seeing his father's name on the screen, he smiled and answered.

"Dad," he greeted warmly. "Good evening."

"Good evening, my boy," his father replied, his voice steady but warm. "How's my daughter-in-law? How's married life treating you?"

Raymond chuckled. "Lilian is doing great, and so am I. Everything is going well."

"That's good to hear," his father said. "I just wanted to check in. You know, see how things are going."

Raymond leaned back on the couch, relaxing into the conversation. "Thanks, Dad. We're happy. Work is good, home is good—life is good."

His father hummed approvingly, but then there was a slight pause. "Actually, there's something else I wanted to talk to you about."

Raymond sat up. "What is it?"

His father's voice grew more serious. "Dennis is resigning."

Raymond blinked. "What? Dennis? Why?"

"That was my reaction too," his father admitted. "He came into my office today and handed in his resignation letter. I asked him why, and he didn't say much—just that he needed a change. But, Raymond… I have a strong feeling it has something to do with your marriage to Lilian."

Raymond frowned, absorbing the words. "You think so?"

His father sighed. "I've been watching Dennis for a while. He's a good teacher, one of the best we have. But ever since you and Lilian got married, he hasn't been the same. There's something heavy on his mind. And now, out of nowhere, he wants to leave?"

Raymond exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "I never thought— I mean, he and Lilian were close, but I didn't think it was like that."

His father's voice softened. "I don't think he ever told her how he felt. And now, it's too late."

A silence stretched between them.

After a moment, his father continued, "I told him to go home and think about it. If he still wants to resign, I'll process it. But I didn't want him to make a decision based purely on emotion."

Raymond nodded, even though his father couldn't see him. "That's fair."

"Raymond," his father added, "not every battle is fought out loud. Some people suffer quietly. Dennis… he's been suffering in silence."

Raymond swallowed hard. He had won Lilian's heart, but at what cost to Dennis?

"I'll wait for his final reply," his father said. "But I wanted you to know what's going on."

Raymond sighed. "Thanks, Dad."

"Alright, son. Take care of your wife. I'll speak to you soon."

"You too, Dad."

As the call ended, Raymond remained seated, staring at the phone in his hand.

Dennis was leaving. And now, for the first time, Raymond truly understood why.

Unsettling thought

Raymond put his phone down, but the conversation with his father lingered in his mind like an echo that refused to fade.

Dennis is resigning.

The words repeated over and over, refusing to let him rest.

Why?

His father believed it had something to do with Lilian. But why would her marriage to him push Dennis to leave? Had something been going on between them before he and Lilian got married?

No. That didn't make sense. Lilian had never mentioned anything about Dennis. She had never once given him a reason to doubt her feelings.

But still…

Did Dennis love her?

Raymond leaned forward, rubbing his temples.

Did she ever love him back?

The thought struck him like a hammer to the chest. He had always believed Lilian loved him—she married him, after all. But what if, deep down, she had feelings for Dennis too? What if she had never really made peace with not choosing him?

A slow, uneasy feeling settled in Raymond's stomach.

Does she regret marrying me?

The thought made his throat tighten. He had never doubted their love before. Never questioned their marriage. But now, knowing that Dennis was willing to walk away from everything, he couldn't help but wonder.

What does Lilian think about all this?

Does she miss Dennis? Does she feel guilty?

Raymond exhaled sharply. No. He wasn't going to let these thoughts get the best of him. He loved Lilian, and he would do everything in his power to make her happy. He would make sure that marrying him was the best decision she had ever made.

But then another question arose—should he talk to her about Dennis' resignation?

Would it make things awkward? Would it make her uncomfortable? Or was it something she deserved to know?

He leaned back against the couch, staring at the ceiling.

Would telling her bring them closer together… or open a door he wasn't ready to step through?

For the first time in his marriage, Raymond felt uncertain.

And the feeling terrified him.

Dinner date

Raymond adjusted his collar, glancing at his reflection in the mirror. Tonight was important. He needed this—they needed this.

Stepping into the living room, he found Lilian sitting on the couch, flipping through a book. She looked up when she sensed his presence.

"Are you ready?" he asked with a warm smile.

Lilian raised an eyebrow. "For what?"

"For dinner."

She sighed, placing the book down. "Raymond, we can have dinner at home."

He shook his head. "No. We are still freshly married, Lilian. I want us to enjoy our time together. Our honeymoon isn't over just because we're back home."

She hesitated, studying his expression. His persistence was clear in his eyes, in the way he stood before her.

After a brief silence, she nodded. "Alright, give me a moment."

Raymond watched as she rose and disappeared into the bedroom. A small smile tugged at his lips.

Tonight, he was going to make sure she felt nothing but happiness.

After the dinner, Raymond and Lilian returned home, their bond stronger than ever. That night, wrapped in each other's embrace, their love unfolded naturally. Lilian gave herself to him willingly—not just because he was her husband, but because he had always been caring and devoted. To her, he deserved all the love she could offer.

As they lay together afterward, the warmth of their intimacy still lingering, Raymond traced gentle circles on Lilian's arm. He hesitated for a moment before speaking. "There's something I need to tell you."

Lilian tilted her head up to look at him. "What is it?"

Raymond exhaled softly. "Dennis is resigning."

The words settled between them, and for a brief moment, Lilian said nothing.