Another Chance

Admitting Truth

Omniscient POV

Darius looked at Gil, then back at Janet, his heart sinking. He had been so wrapped up in his own world that he hadn't noticed the toll their arguments were taking on her. He caught the tail end of their conversation, and a knot twisted in his stomach at the words he caught. 

He felt like a ghost in his own home, invisible to the one woman he loved beyond words and the children who looked up to him. He should have sensed that something was wrong. Instead, he had been wrapped up in his own insecurities, afraid to confront the reality of their situation.

Gil was trying to console her. Janet's eyes glistened with tears, and she spoke in a shaky voice, her heartache spilling out as she confided in Gil about him. Darius could barely look at her at that point. He froze momentarily when he saw Janet's tear-streaked face and Gil sitting beside her.

"What's going on?" he asked, his voice laced with concern, but there was an edge of apprehension in his tone. 

"Just a little talk," Gil replied as Janet quickly wiped her eyes and forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

Gil stood up, sensing the tension in the air. "I'ma leave you two. You guys have a lot to go over," he said softly, casting a reassuring glance at Janet before leaving out the door. 

Once they were alone, the atmosphere shifted, the tension thick. He stood by the door unable to move. Darius dropped his bag by the door and finally approached Janet. "What's wrong?" he asked again, softer this time, but his body language remained closed off.

"I'm just feeling a little overwhelmed." 

Janet's throat tightened. She wanted to unleash the torrent of emotions she had bottled up for weeks. She wanted to tell him that she felt alone, that she was exhausted, and that she needed him to step up. But the words seemed to evaporate before they could take shape.

Darius's gaze narrowed. "Overwhelmed? You've been home all day."

Janet felt heat rise in her cheeks as she stood up, her voice shaking with frustration. "Darius, that's not fair. I'm taking care of the kids, the house, everything! You've been working late and barely even acknowledge us when you're home!" 

Darius crossed his arms, his jaw tightening. "I'm doing this for us, Janet. I'm working hard to provide for this family. You can't just expect me to drop everything when I come home."

Janet felt a surge of anger as everything spilled over. "I'm not asking you to drop everything, I'm asking you to be present! To help me! I can't do this alone!"

Darius's expression softened slightly, and for a moment, Janet saw a glimmer of the man she fell in love with. "I just thought... if I worked harder, you'd be happy. I didn't realize it was doing the opposite."

Janet's anger softened as she saw the vulnerability in his eyes.

Janet's heart ached at his words. "I appreciate your hard work, Darius, but being there for us matters too. I need you to see me. I need you to see our kids. Why are you avoiding me, Darius?" Janet's voice trembled with a mix of frustration and sadness. 

"I'm not." His brow furrowed and heart raced as he took a deep breath, searching for the right words.

"I feel like I'm carrying everything on my own. The kids need you, and I need you. I need to know what's going on with you."

"There's nothing going on."

"I just want you to be present for us. Are you dealing with something personal?"

Darius shifted uncomfortably, his gaze falling to the floor. "I didn't realize I was... I just thought you were managing," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't want to burden you with my issues."