Haven stood outside the door, his hands trembling as he clenched and unclenched his clench hands. The late evening sun showered the neighbourhood in a brilliant tone, but Haven felt nothing but the weight of his inconveniences. He might feel the sweat on his chin, each ball of sweat reminding him of the storm brewing in his life. He took a deep breath, his heart beating in his chest, and thumped on the door.
Some seconds passed before he listened to the rearranging of feet from the other side. His beat enlivened. Would she indeed open the door? The door squeaked open, and there she stood—Alexis, his spouse, the love of his life. She looked at him with a blend of shock and guardedness, her eyes checking his face as if looking for answers he didn't have.
She was wearing a formal blue
