Lucy's POV
The morning sun streamed through the kitchen window, illuminating the chaos that reigned within her home. Lucy stood at the sink, scrubbing a stubborn pot while her mind raced. After Tim had stormed out the previous morning, leaving her to handle everything alone, the weight of frustration and exhaustion pressed down on her.
"Mommy! I can't find my other shoe!" Jake cried, his voice rising in panic as he searched under the couch.
"It's okay, sweetheart. Let's look for it together!" she said, forcing a smile. She and Jake crawled under the dining table, finally unearthing the missing shoe wedged in a corner.
"Got it!" she exclaimed, holding it up triumphantly. But as she turned, her heart sank when she saw the clock. They were already running late.
"Okay, kids, let's hurry!" she urged, trying to keep her voice cheerful despite the mounting pressure. Jake began to wail, while Ella attempted to help him put on his shoes, only adding to the chaos.
"Mommy, I'm hungry!" Jake whined, and Lucy's heart tightened.
"Just a quick snack, I promise," she said as she rummaged through the pantry, grabbing a granola bar and tossing it to him. "Eat this on the way!"
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she managed to corral the kids into the car, all while fighting the nagging feeling of loneliness that washed over her. Tim should have been there to help, to ease the load, but he'd left her to deal with everything alone.
When Lucy arrived at the station, she rushed through the doors, her heart racing. The morning meeting had already begun, and she felt the weight of being late pressing down on her. She exchanged quick greetings with colleagues, but her frustration bubbled just beneath the surface, ready to explode.
"Hey, you okay?" Angela asked as she approached Lucy's desk, concern evident in her eyes. "You look exhausted."
Lucy forced a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Just a busy morning with the kids," she replied, but her tone was sharper than she intended.
"Sounds like you could use some help," Angela said gently.
Lucy glanced away, the memory of Tim's abandonment still fresh in her mind. "Maybe if he hadn't left me to handle everything alone, I wouldn't need help," she muttered under her breath.
"What's that?" Angela asked, her brow furrowing.
"Nothing. I'm fine," Lucy said, dismissing the comment. But she couldn't shake the feeling of resentment towards Tim. How could he just leave?
---
Tim's POV
Tim had spent the night at the hotel, wrestling with guilt about leaving Lucy to manage the morning chaos alone. When he arrived at the precinct, he tried to focus on work, but the heaviness in his chest wouldn't let up.
"Bradford, you ready?" Jackson called, snapping Tim back to the present. "We have a lead on that art heist crew. They're moving through a warehouse down by the docks."
"Yeah, let's do it," Tim replied, his thoughts still lingering on Lucy and the kids. But he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
As they prepared to head out, Tim's phone buzzed. He pulled it out, his heart racing when he saw it was a text from Lucy.
Lucy: Running late. The kids are wild today. I'm so tired...
Tim's heart sank. She's overwhelmed, and I'm not there to help her.
"Everything okay?" Jackson asked, noticing Tim's expression.
"Just Lucy having a tough morning with the kids," Tim admitted, guilt creeping into his voice.
"Maybe you should call her," Jackson suggested. "It could help ease her mind."
Tim shook his head. "I can't. It's complicated... I just don't want to mess things up even more."
Jackson raised an eyebrow, sensing the tension in Tim's voice. "You guys have been through a lot. Communication is key."
"Not now," Tim replied, frustration seeping into his voice. "Let's just focus on the job."
---
Lucy's POV
The tension in Lucy's chest tightened as she arrived at the briefing room. She forced herself to breathe, trying to keep her emotions in check. But as she entered the main room, her eyes landed on Tim across the room, and her anger flared again.
Tim looked up just in time to catch her furious gaze. The weight of her expression hit him like a punch to the gut. She looked furious—hurt, even. The guilt washed over him anew.
"Lucy," he began, his voice filled with concern, but she turned away, marching past him without a word.
"Hey, wait!" Tim called after her, but she didn't stop.
"Let's get this over with," she said curtly as she joined the rest of the team for the briefing.
Tim's heart sank further as he watched her, knowing he had hurt her deeply. He felt like a failure, not just as a partner but as a husband.
YOU ARE READING
secrets
Fanfictionwhat if tim had a secret that he keeps hidden from everyone. How will everyone react when they find out, but most important what who'll happen when they do.
