Married To My Ex • SaTzu

185 [Narrative]

Sana knelt down to meet her daughter's eyes, brushing a gentle hand over Sulyoon's soft hair. She tried to smile, but her heart was heavy. The candles on the dining table flickered, casting shadows across the lovingly prepared dishes, now cold.

"Mommy promises, Dadda will be home soon," Sulyoon whispered, her voice trembling as she glanced at the clock. 8:15 PM. Tzuyu should be home at 7:30 but he's not here.

"But Mommy, me sooo hungwy!" Minyoung pouted, crossing his little arms. Sullyoon and Minyoung began to stir in their high chairs, their giggles now replaced with whines.

Sana's phone buzzed on the counter, and she grabbed it with desperate hope. But it was just a promotional message. Not the one she was waiting for.

She bit her lip to hold back the tears threatening to spill and crouched lower, pulling Sulyoon into a tight hug. "How about Mommy warms up some food for you and Minyoung? We'll save other food for Dadda, okay?"

Sulyoon hesitated but nodded, her small arms wrapping around Sana's neck. "Okay, Mommy. But tell Dadda I'm mad."

"Me too!!" Minyoung raises his cute arm, agreeing to his sister.

Sana chuckled lightly, masking the ache in her chest. She kissed her daughter's cheek and stood up, setting the task of reheating dinner to distract herself from the growing worry in her chest.

She stirred the soup on the stove, her eyes darting toward the front door every few seconds. Where are you, Tzuyu?

The babies had finished eating earlier, their little bellies full and eyes drooping with sleep. She'd carried them one by one to their shared room, tucking them in gently, whispering promises that their Dadda would be there in the morning.

Now, she sat alone, the special anniversary dinner still on the dining table. Her thumb hovered over Tzuyu's number once more, but each attempt to call was met with the same lifeless tone. The number you are trying to reach is unavailable.

After another hour of waiting, Tzuyu stepped in, his coat damp from the drizzle and snow outside, holding a bouquet of slightly wilted roses. His hair was disheveled, and there was an apologetic look in his tired eyes.

"Hi, love," he said softly, his gaze meeting Sana's. "I'm so sorry—"

Sana didn't let her finish. She strode over, her emotions a mix of relief, anger, and longing. "Tzuyu, do you have any idea how worried I was?" she whispered, her voice breaking. "You didn't call, didn't text... The kids were asking for you."

Tzuyu sighed, guilt evident on her face. "I know. I messed up. I rushed something in the office and when I was in the car, my phone is dead. I don't have a charger, and I got caught up in the traffic and the snow is heavy on the road."

Sana crossed her arms, still visibly upset but worried about him. "And our anniversary? Did you forget?"

Tzuyu flinched at the question, then held out the roses. "I didn't forget. I just... I wanted to make tonight perfect, but I failed. Sorry, my wife."

"The kids are now sleeping and they're mad too." She said sulking as she accepts the bouquet of one hundred roses. Tzuyu reaches Sana's waist and tried kissing her but she refused to the kiss and went to get some tray of food on the table to heat it for Tzuyu.

"I'll just heat this and let's eat. I'm hungry. I'm sure you are too." Sana's words were colder than the room itself, a tone that echoed the hurt she felt.

"Baby, I'm sorry, please," Tzuyu whispered, her voice filled with both regret and longing. "Are you still upset I didn't take a day off on this special day? I already explained I can't since it's been hectic around and the office needs me. I'll make it up, I promise."