Wendy stepped aside, opening the door.


    "Come in," she said quietly.


    +25 BONOS


    Stanley walked in. They stood there in the living room, the weight of the moment hanging between them.


    Wendy broke the silence, her voice cool. "Mr. Hawk, is there something you need?"


    The formal title hung in the air, creating an invisible barrier and keeping him at a distance.


    Stanley took a step closer. "Wendy, please don''t be so cold to me. All these years, I never knew it was you. I''ve been searching for you."


    Wendy nodded slowly. "I know. I know everything."


    Stanley reached out and gently ced his hands on her shoulders. "Please, give me another chance. We''ve lost so many years, but I don''t want to lose you again."


    Wendy pushed him away, her voice firm.


    "It''s toote! I''ve given you so many chances. I gave you a chance when we were getting divorced, when Jessica and I were both kidnapped. Even when I was on the operating table for a miscarriage, I prayed you''d show up in time. But every time I needed you, you pushed me away. This happened again and again, and eventually, I got used to living without you. I don''t need you anymore."


    Stanley felt as though his heart had been gripped by an iron hand, squeezing so tightly that he could barely breathe. "Wendy, I''m sorry. I''m so sorry..."


    The apology felt like an ocean of words reduced to just that one phrase.


    "Wendy, I promised you once that I would take you away, give you a home. But I broke that promise. I left you all alone in the countryside, letting you be alone for so long.


    "When I was in aa, you came to me, but I didn''t even recognize you. I hurt you over and over for Jessica''s sake, and I disappointed you... I know all of this."


    Stanley''s eyes turned red, the sheen of unshed tears reflecting in his gaze.


    "Just thinking about everything you went through while I wasn''t around... it hurts so much. I feel so guilty, and I hate myself for it. I can''t forgive myself. It''s my fault. All of it... It''s my fault."


    Wendy trembled, her lips pressed tight, but she remained silent.


    +25 BONOS


    "But Wendy, I... I just mistook someone for you. All these years, I thought Jessica was you. It wasn''t intentional, I swear. Can''t you stop ming everything on me?


    "We''ve already lost so many years. We don''t get to live forever, and I don''t want to miss out on any more time with you. Please, give me another chance. I swear I''ll cherish you this time. We can be together, build a home, and never be apart again. Please, Wendy."


    Stanley stepped forward, pulling her into a tight embrace.


    He held her so fiercely, his face buried in her long hair, as though he wanted to press her into every part of him, never letting her go.


    He didn''t want to be apart from her anymore.


    This embrace hade toote-many years toote.


    Tears fell from Wendy''s eyes. Stanley was the man she had always loved, and her heart ached for him. She had loved him so much, and this embrace... He had no idea how much she had longed for it.


    She also knew it wasn''t all his fault. After all, he had never forgotten her all these years. He had given all his care and affection to Jessica, and that was something he had once promised


    her.


    But...


    Wendy let a sad smile curve her lips through her tears. "Stanley, it''s toote. Everything is toote."