BACK TO LOVE.

1⃣8⃣

Ayanda stood up and walked into the yacht and headed into the bedroom they occupied. Axel joined her after a few minutes if coaching himself on the right things to say.

' I'm sorry babe.'

Ayanda listened quietly as Axel poured out his apologies, her heart heavy with pain and resentment. The wounds were still fresh, and she struggled to find forgiveness in her heart but she also knew that holding onto anger would only further poison their relationship.

She took a deep breath and looked at Axel, her eyes filled with sadness.

"I appreciate your apology, Axel,"

she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"but apologies can't erase the pain and the damage that has been done."

Axel nodded, understanding the weight of his actions.

"I know, Ayanda. I know. I wish I could turn back time and change everything. I wish I could have been there for you when we lost our daughter, instead of seeking comfort elsewhere."

Tears welled up in Ayanda's eyes as she listened to his remorseful words. She knew he couldn't change the past, and she couldn't change her emotions either. It was a long road ahead for them, one filled with healing and rebuilding trust.

"I need time, Axel,"

she finally spoke, her voice trembling.

"I need time to heal, to process everything that has happened and I need to see consistent changes in your actions, not just words."

Axel reached out and gently took Ayanda's hand, his gaze filled with sincerity.

"I understand, Ayanda. I will do whatever it takes to make things right. I will be patient, understanding, and supportive. I want to earn back your trust, and I want us to find a way to heal together."

Ayanda nodded, her heart conflicted but hopeful. She knew that rebuilding trust wouldn't be easy, but if both of them were willing to put in the effort, there was a chance for their love to overcome this dark period.

"Okay, Axel,"

she finally said, a flicker of a smile appearing on her face.

"I don't know if I can forgive you right now, Axel.We can work on this together, but know that it won't be easy. We have a lot of work ahead of us, and I hope that we can find our way back to each other."

Axel smiled back, a mix of relief and determination in his eyes.

"I love you, Ayanda. And I will do whatever it takes to make things right."

Ayanda took a deep breath, her heart still heavy with the pain of betrayal. But as she looked into her husband's eyes, she saw genuine remorse and a willingness to change and deep down, she knew she still loved him.

" This is one mistake that will never happen again I promise."

Ayanda silently played with her wedding ring as they talked, well he talked and she listened. Only adding where she thought she should. They lay besides each other talking till they both fell asleep.

' Axel wake up.'

' whyyy.'

He groaned

' Well because it's late and you're snoring.'

He denied he was snoring and sat up propping on his elbows as she looked for something in her bags and that tiny cupboard in their room. He noticed there was music coming from somewhere in the yacht coupled with laughter. Ayanda felt good about coming on this trip which Neveah and Shadrach had planned after they missed the couples retreat. At first she did not want to come when the girls told her about it, she did not want to spend three days and two nights in such close proximity with him but she was happy she did.