Stupid Wife- Lembre-se de Nós (English Edition) by Nathalia Sodré.

Chapter 25:In Joy and in Sadness

The next day didn't dawn any better than the previous ones. We are sleeping in the guest room, because of the mattress that needed to be washed and is drying in the yard, and it may take a while due to cold weather. But back to the most important subject of my life and that is causing me absurd pain: Valentina. She's been quiet, she's been quiet since we came back from the hospital. She spends the whole day like this practically, she doesn't get out of bed, only when she really needs to. I have been bathing her, because if I don't, I believe she won't either, such is her sadness.

It breaks me in half to see her so crestfallen. I took it upon myself to cancel any of her appointments. I know Valentina will need some time, and I'm making sure it doesn't take so long.

- "Later, can I go upstairs to see mommy?" Leo asks, looking at me, also with his head down. He's being quitter, as if he knows and feels everything his mother is feeling. I believe it is because, the two have a very strong connection.

I smile at my little one, ruffling his long hair, which falls a little over his eyes.

- "Of course, Hijo. You don't even have to ask. Just don't wake her up if she's sleeping, okay?"

He nods and goes back to eating, silently, without saying anything else.

We ended our lunch like this, and after packing everything up, we both went upstairs to check on Valentina. I go in first, just to make sure she's dressed, and she is. Lying in bed, staring, through the open window, at the snow falling outside. Her image is as cold as time at this point.

- "Mummy?" the little one calls her, approaching the bed. Valentina takes a few seconds to react, but then looks at him and cracks a small smile, as do her arms.

This has made me more comforted; she never rejects or ignores our son. Leo quickly climbs onto the bed and carefully hugs her. He has been very careful as he knows she needs care.

- "I'm glad to see you've eaten it all," I comment as I look at the tray on the bedside table. The plate is empty, she just hasn't had all the juice, but that doesn't matter. "Do you want more water?"

- "No need, princess. Lay with us, please," she asks so slyly that I almost melt, finding her trick adorable.

I don't think twice about complying with her request, climbing into bed and hugging both of them as best I can. We stayed like that, the three of us looking at the snow, in silence. But for the first time in a week, it's not being melancholy or terrifying.

- "I love you, Mommy," Leo says suddenly, in a low one, like some kind of confession. I could only hear it because I was so close.

I lift my head and face them both. She presses her eyes together and hugs him tightly, burying her face in his long hair. This image makes my heart feel like it's warm, and it brings me an assurance that everything will be okay. We've got each other, we're going to get through this tough time.

- "I love you, my little one. I love you so much that it doesn't fit inside me."

I remain quiet, admiring the image of the two of them hugging each other so tightly, which makes me happy and does not make me jealous, on the contrary: it gives me hope. Such moments between them have been rare in recent days. To be honest, I didn't witness them much. Valentina has been so reclusive; I don't know what else to do to get her out of the room and try to cheer her up.

We spent the whole day pretty much like this: the three of us lying down, close together, as it should be. Valentina looks a little more excited, through her gaze doesn't hide the fact that, inside, everything is broken. I hope that tonight I will be able to talk to her better and know how can I help her.