Forgive Me, My Love

Chapter 12: The Old Photos

Monday night. Damian's condo.

After Emma left, Damian couldn't stop thinking about the weekend.

He went to his old room. The one he locked 3 years ago.

He opened the drawer. And there they were.

Photos.

Aria and him at the beach. Laughing.

Aria pregnant. Her hand on her belly.

Baby Emma. 1 month old. Sleeping on his chest.

Damian's hands shook.

He picked up one photo. Aria, 8 months pregnant, smiling at the camera. He was behind her, kissing her cheek.

"We were happy," Damian whispered.

His phone buzzed. Unknown number.

It was Aria. "Emma's asking for you. She wants to video call."

Damian answered immediately.

Emma's face appeared. "Daddy!"

Damian smiled. "Hi baby."

Then he saw Aria behind Emma. She looked tired.

"Can I... can I see the photos?" Aria asked quietly.

Damian turned the camera to the photos on the bed.

Aria went silent.

"I still have them too," Aria said. "In a box. Under my bed."

Damian looked at her through the screen. "Aria..."

"Don't," Aria cut him off. "Let's just focus on Emma."

The call ended.

Damian stared at the photos all night.

Aria went silent.

"I still have them too," Aria said. Her voice was soft. "In a box. Under my bed."

Damian looked at her through the screen. "Aria... do you ever look at them?"

Aria looked away. "Sometimes. When I miss how things used to be."

Damian's chest hurt. "I miss it too. Us. Before everything got ruined."

"Don't," Aria cut him off. Her eyes were watery. "Let's just focus on Emma. That's all that matters now."

Emma tugged Aria's shirt. "Mommy, why are you sad?"

Aria forced a smile. "I'm not sad, anak. I'm just tired."

Damian watched them. "Can I... can I see Emma this Wednesday too? Not just weekends?"

Aria hesitated. "I'll think about it."

The call ended.

Damian stared at the photos all night. He couldn't sleep.

He kept looking at the photo of Aria pregnant. She looked so happy. So in love.

At 2 AM, he texted her: "I'm sorry. For everything. I just want to fix this. For Emma. For us."

He didn't expect a reply.

But 10 minutes