Chapter 14 Confiding

• Victoria stood in the parking lot, the afternoon sun casting long shadows as she loaded her groceries into the trunk of her car. Her mind was still swirling with the conversation she had with her mother, the weight of her worries pressing down like a heavy cloak.
• As she closed the trunk, she heard a familiar voice call out. “Hey, Victoria!”
• Turning, she saw Zander leaning against a nearby car, his arms crossed casually over his chest. He looked relaxed, a stark contrast to the chaos that often filled her life. His reserved demeanor drew her in, and she felt an inexplicable sense of relief wash over her.
• “Hey, Zander,” she replied, forcing a smile despite the heaviness in her heart.
• “What are you doing here?” he asked, tilting his head slightly, his gaze assessing but not intrusive.
• “Just picking up some groceries,” she said, motioning to the bags in her trunk. “How about you?”
• “Just finished a workout,” he said, glancing down at his gym bag resting at his feet. “Thought I’d grab a protein shake and head home.”
• “Sounds good,” she said, her voice trailing off. The warmth of the sun felt almost comforting, but the underlying tension in her chest remained.
• Zander stepped closer, his expression shifting to one of concern. “You okay? You seem a bit… off.”
• Victoria hesitated, unsure of how much to share. There was something about Zander that made her want to open up, to unburden herself just a little. “It’s just been a rough few weeks,” she admitted, her voice quiet. “Things at home… they aren’t great.”
• “What do you mean?” he asked, his tone gentle, encouraging her to continue.
• She took a breath, gathering her thoughts. “Daniel and I have been… distant. It feels like we’re just going through the motions. He’s hardly home, and when he is, it’s like we don’t even know each other anymore.”
• Zander nodded, his expression sympathetic. “That sounds really tough. I can’t imagine how you’re feeling.”
• “It’s just frustrating,” Victoria confessed, her heart racing slightly at the vulnerability of the moment. “I try to hold it together for the kids, but some days it feels like I’m losing myself. I feel so alone.”
• “I get that,” Zander said softly. “It’s easy to feel isolated in situations like that. Have you talked to him about how you’re feeling?”
• She looked down at her hands, fidgeting with the grocery bags. “I’ve tried, but it feels like he just brushes me off. Like he doesn’t really care anymore.”
• Zander’s brow furrowed, and he shifted closer, closing the distance between them. “You deserve to be heard, Victoria. It’s important to express how you feel, especially in a marriage. Ignoring it won’t make it go away.”
• “I know,” she said, feeling a lump form in her throat. “It’s just hard to confront him. I’m afraid of what he might say… or if he even has anything to say at all.”
• “Maybe it’s not about what he says, but about you finding your voice,” Zander suggested, his gaze steady and reassuring. “You shouldn’t have to suffer in silence.”
• Victoria nodded slowly, feeling an unexpected connection with Zander. His calm presence provided a sense of comfort, something she had been craving amidst the storm of her emotions. “I guess I just feel like I’m stuck,” she said, almost as if to herself.
• Zander took a moment, choosing his words carefully. “Sometimes, the hardest part is just admitting that you’re not okay. It’s okay to be vulnerable.”
• She looked up, meeting his eyes, and for a moment, the world around them faded away. “I don’t want to burden you with my problems.”
• “You’re not a burden,” he replied firmly. “If anything, sharing it might lighten your load a little.”
• Victoria felt a bittersweet pang in her chest. Here was someone willing to listen, to understand her pain without judgment. “Thank you, Zander. It’s nice to have someone to talk to.”
• He offered a small smile, his demeanor softening. “Anytime, Victoria. Seriously. I’m here if you need to vent or just talk about anything else.”
• They stood in the parking lot, the air thick with unspoken feelings, and for the first time in a long while, Victoria felt seen—really seen. It wasn’t a resolution or a promise for a brighter future, but it was a moment of connection, an understanding that lingered in the air between them.
• “Anyway, I should get going,” she said, breaking the silence. “I’ve got to get these groceries home.”
• “Yeah, of course. Take care, Victoria,” Zander said, stepping back. “And remember, you’re not alone in this.”
• As she climbed into her car, the weight on her chest felt just a little lighter. Victoria started the engine, glancing back at Zander as he waved goodbye, his reserved nature still present, but there was something more—a quiet strength that resonated with her heartache.
• With a sigh, she drove away, unsure of what lay ahead, but feeling just a touch less alone in the world.
• Victoria arrived home, the familiar surroundings feeling both comforting and suffocating. She stepped inside, greeted by the faint scent of dinner lingering in the air, but the warmth that usually filled her heart was absent. Daniel’s car was parked in the driveway, and for a brief moment, she held her breath, unsure of what kind of mood awaited her inside.
• “Hey, honey, I’m back!” she called out, hoping for a cheerful response.
• “Yeah, I’m in the living room!” Daniel’s voice echoed from the other room, a hint of weariness in his tone.
• Victoria placed the grocery bags on the kitchen counter, noting the clutter that had accumulated over the past few days. As she started putting things away, she felt an overwhelming sense of heaviness settle in her chest. The conversations she had with Zander replayed in her mind, his empathy lingering like a soft echo.
• When she walked into the living room, she found Daniel slumped on the couch, his shirt slightly rumpled. He looked up briefly, his expression lacking the enthusiasm she craved. “You’re back late.”
• “I went to the store after work. You know how it is,” she replied, trying to keep her tone light.
• “Yeah, I guess,” he said, glancing back at the TV, where a game was playing, the volume turned up louder than usual. “Did you get everything we need?”
• “Pretty much,” she said, her voice trailing off as she took in his demeanor. “I got some fresh vegetables and that pasta you like.”
• “Great,” he muttered, not bothering to look away from the screen.
• Victoria felt the silence stretch between them, heavy and suffocating. She took a seat on the opposite end of the couch, her heart aching as she watched him. “How was your day?” she asked, attempting to bridge the growing distance.
• “It was fine. Busy,” he replied absently, still focused on the game.
• “Just busy?” she pressed gently, searching for any hint of connection. “Did you have a lot of meetings?”
• “Yeah, a couple,” he said, finally turning his gaze toward her. “Nothing major.”
• Victoria nodded, swallowing hard. “I ran into Zander today at the store. He’s nice. I think you’d like him if you met him.”
• “Zander?” Daniel’s tone shifted slightly, a flicker of curiosity breaking through his disinterest. “The one from your family event?”
• “Yeah. He was just grabbing a shake after working out,” she replied, trying to gauge his reaction. “We talked for a bit.”
• “Sounds… interesting,” Daniel said, a hint of something—jealousy?—flashing in his eyes before he quickly masked it. “You’ve mentioned him a lot lately.”
• “I know, but it’s just nice to have someone to talk to,” Victoria said, her voice softer now. “Someone who listens.”
• Daniel shrugged, his expression unreadable. “I guess.”
• Victoria felt a familiar ache in her heart, the chasm between them widening with every passing moment. “Do you want me to make dinner? I can whip up that pasta—”
• “No, I’ll order something,” he interrupted, pulling out his phone. “I’m not really hungry.”
• “Okay,” she said, feeling the sting of rejection in her chest. “I’ll just finish putting these away.”
• Silence enveloped the room once more as she returned to the kitchen, her movements automatic as she unpacked the groceries. She felt Daniel’s eyes on her for a moment before he turned back to the TV, immersed in the game.
• With each clatter of dishes, Victoria’s heart grew heavier. She thought of the conversations she had with Sophie and Zander, their words echoing in her mind like whispers of a life that felt just out of reach. She yearned for connection, for laughter, for someone to see the pain behind her smile, but here she was, stuck in a silence that felt more like a prison than a home.
• She finished putting away the groceries, her hands trembling slightly as she closed the cabinet door. Turning back toward the living room, she saw Daniel laughing at something on the screen, his face illuminated by the flickering light. It felt like a scene from another life, one where they had shared dreams and plans, but now it seemed so distant and unreachable.
• “Are you really okay?” she asked, her voice quiet but firm.
• Daniel glanced at her, a look of mild surprise crossing his features. “What do you mean?”
• “You just seem… distant lately. Like you’re not really here,” she said, her heart racing as she spoke. “I’m just worried about us.”
• He shrugged again, a dismissive gesture that felt like a slap in the face. “I’m fine, Victoria. Just busy. You know how work is.”
• “Yeah, I do,” she replied, a lump forming in her throat. “But we need to talk, Daniel. About us. About everything.”
• “Can we not do this right now?” he replied, his voice slightly irritated. “I’m really not in the mood for another heart-to-heart.”
• “Right,” she said, feeling the weight of her disappointment settle in her chest. “I’m sorry for bringing it up.”
• “Whatever,” he muttered, turning back to the TV.
• With a heavy heart, Victoria retreated to the kitchen, trying to suppress the tears that threatened to spill. She felt invisible in her own home, a stranger to the man she had once loved so fiercely. The silence between them spoke volumes, each unspoken word echoing like a haunting melody.
• As the evening wore on, Victoria cleaned up the kitchen, the sound of Daniel’s laughter from the living room contrasting sharply with the emptiness she felt inside. She wanted to reach out, to pull him back into their shared world, but the gulf between them felt insurmountable.
• That night, as she lay in bed, Victoria stared at the ceiling, thoughts swirling like a tempest in her mind. She could feel the tears streaming down her cheeks, but there was no one to wipe them away. No comfort. No assurance. Just the aching void of her heartbreak and the quiet reminder that love alone wasn’t enough to bridge the distance between them.