𝚠𝚎 𝚌𝚊𝚗'𝚝 𝚋𝚎 𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚜 (𝚠𝚊𝚒𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎)

𝐯.

𝐯.

The next day when Joe came to pick up the kids from Galina's house, he was met with a confrontation he did not expect. Galina blocked him from entering, her arms crossed as she demanded to know when he realized he was still in love with Rue.

Joe stared at her, shocked and unsure how to respond. This was not a conversation he ever intended on having with his ex-wife.

Galina continued, accusing Joe of never getting over Rue even while he was with her. She could tell he was trying desperately to fix the past with Rue in a way he never did for their own relationship.

This stung Galina a bit, even though they were divorced and she was over him. It saddened her to know Joe was fighting so hard for an old flame when he didn't do the same for her.

Joe deflected, claiming he didn't know why Galina wanted to talk about this. But Galina pressed on - she refused to let Joe waltz back into Rue's life and potentially ruin the special bond between Rue and their daughter Joelle. Rue was Joelle's favorite teacher, and Galina would protect that at all costs.

With a sigh, Joe admitted everyone was telling him the same thing: leave Rue be, don't damage her relationship with Joelle. But he couldn't control the resurfacing of old feelings, the constant pull to seek out Rue. He didn't know what to do.

Galina sat down beside Joe, probing gently to understand their breakup. The rumor that tore them apart had been a lie, she reminded him. What was it about the rumor that made him abandon Rue so cruelly? Joe explained he was blinded by hurt and only thinking of himself at the time.

How could he ever trust Rue again after she supposedly terminated their wanted pregnancy? But Galina pushed back - did he ever even consider the rumor was untrue? Did he have so little faith in Rue to do something so heinous?

Joe confessed his ego was damaged. He wallowed in self-pity over why Rue would do this to him instead of thinking of her. By the time he realized his mistake, it was too late. He knew he fucked up, and while he had apologized, Rue was stubbornly defensive.

Galina pointed out that Rue had good reason to be defensive and distrusting. Joe had abandoned her at the most traumatic time, believing a lie over the truth.

What assurance did Rue have that Joe wouldn't doubt her again? His apologies meant little without making Rue feel safe. Joe and his cousins had unjustly lashed out at Rue instead of accepting responsibility as the ones in the wrong.

Joe admitted Galina was right. He had to take it slow, proving to Rue he had changed. He had to call off his cousins and stop their attacks. Galina added that Rue probably felt like an outsider being unfairly targeted by his protective family. Recalling her own experience of their cold-shouldering, Galina understood how overwhelming Rue must feel.

Joe apologized for his family's hostility, but Galina told him to see it from Rue's perspective. If Rue gave him a second chance, he could not hurt her again. He must make her feel secure.

Joe agreed, vowing to hurt himself before ever harming Rue once more. Galina confessed she had always sensed Joe's lingering love for Rue.

While difficult, she was glad it was someone worthy, who Joelle adored. Rue was special - the only woman Galina would approve as a stepmother.

Rue's ability to uplift people hid her inner sadness, but Joe needed to treat her delicately. As Galina squeezed Joe's shoulder in warning, he promised he would not make Rue suffer again.