Love by Fate

Disappointment

Daphne woke up the next morning feeling like she'd been punched in the gut. She reached for Emmason, but he wasn't there. The necklace he'd given her the night before felt heavy on her neck.

She got up, and saw Emmason in the kitchen, sipping coffee. "Morning."

Daphne smiled, trying to play it cool. "Morning."

But Emmason's expression was serious. "Daphne, we need to talk."

Her heart sank. "What's wrong?"

Emmason hesitated. "I got an email. From my job. They want me to lead a project in South Sudan for a few months."

Daphne's face fell. "South Sudan? But...the kids, our life..."

Emmason nodded, looking torn. "I know. I told them I'd think about it."

Daphne felt like she'd been hit. This was the last thing they needed. "What did you say?"

Emmason shrugged. "I said I'd talk to you."

The room went quiet. Daphne felt a wave of disappointment wash over her. They'd just gotten things right, and now...

The silence stretched, thick and heavy. Daphne turned away, trying to process. Emmason got up, put his arms around her. "Hey, we'll figure this out."

Daphne leaned into him, but her mind was racing. The kids' school, their friends, Marion's support... how would they make this work?

Emmason's voice was low. "It's a great opportunity. But..."

Daphne finished the thought. "But it's not just about us."

The kids burst into the kitchen, arguing over cereal. Daphne and Emmason exchanged a look – not now.

The day went by in a blur. Daphne tossed and turned that night. South Sudan wasn't exactly safe. What about the kids?

Emmason's arm wrapped around her. "We'll make a plan. Together."

Daphne's voice was barely a whisper. "I don't want to be apart."

Emmason pulled her close. "We won't be. We'll make it work."

The silence stretched, with Daphne processing the news. She looked at Emmason, expecting him to have answers. "What do you think?" she asked finally.

Emmason's expression was torn. "I think it's a big opportunity for me, career-wise. But..."

Daphne filled in the blanks. "But it means leaving us, the kids, everything."

Emmason nodded, looking miserable. "I'm sorry, Daphne. I didn't expect this."

Daphne got up, pacing the kitchen. "We can't both be gone, Emmason. The kids need one of us here."

Emmason stood up, catching her mid-pace. "I know. That's why I said I'd talk to you."

They stood there, stuck. The thought of being apart was painful. The kids' faces flashed in Daphne's mind – Natasha's smile, Theo's giggles...

The silence stretched, with Daphne and Emmason just looking at each other. The kids started stirring in their rooms, and Marion poked her head into the kitchen. "Morning, guys. What's wrong?"

Daphne tried to smile. "Just some work stuff, Marion."

Emmason stood up. "I'll handle it. We need to talk about this, Daphne."

Daphne nodded, feeling a knot in her stomach. As Emmason headed out with the kids for a soccer game, Daphne collapsed onto the couch. Marion sat beside her. "Want to talk?"

Daphne sighed. "Emmason's job wants him to go to South Sudan for months. What do I do?"

Marion's expression was thoughtful. "What does Emmason want?"

Daphne shrugged. "He's torn. But I know he wants to provide for us."

Marion squeezed her hand. "You guys will figure it out. Together."

Daphne looked at her. "What would I do without you?"

The silence stretched, thick and heavy. Daphne turned away, trying to process. Emmason got up, put his arms around her. "Hey, we'll figure this out."

Daphne shook her head, feeling tears prong. "It's just...I thought we were done with sacrifices. Done with being apart."

Emmason pulled her close. "Me too. But this is a big opportunity. For us, for the kids."

Daphne pulled back, her voice rising. "Opportunity? Or escape?"

Emmason's eyes narrowed. "What does that mean?"

Daphne's words tumbled out. "Means you've been restless. Unhappy here."

The room went quiet again, tension crackling. Emmason's expression shuttered. "You think I'd leave because I'm unhappy?"

Daphne's heart pounded. "I don't know. Do you?"