Untitled Episode
1132 Words
The following morning, Ella woke up feeling restless. She had spent most of the night tossing and turning, replaying her conversation with Peter. His words lingered like an unshakable echo in her mind.
"Because I see you, Ella. And I don’t think you see yourself anymore."
She wasn’t sure why his statement unsettled her so much. Maybe because, deep down, she knew he was right.
Dragging herself out of bed, she padded into the bathroom and turned on the shower. The warm water cascaded over her, washing away the remnants of sleep, but not the unease clinging to her skin.
By the time she stepped out, wrapped in a towel, her phone buzzed on the nightstand.
A message from Daniel.
Daniel: Morning. Busy day ahead. I’ll call later.
No apology. No mention of his absence. Just another impersonal text, as if she were an obligation he had to check off his list.
Ella exhaled, setting the phone down without replying. She wouldn’t fight for his attention anymore. If he wanted to stay away, fine. She had spent enough years pretending everything was okay.
She dressed in a soft beige sweater and jeans, tying her auburn hair into a messy bun. She had no plans for the day, but staying home, drowning in loneliness, wasn’t an option.
Maybe she needed a change of scenery.
A Visit to Martha
An hour later, Ella pulled up in front of Martha Walker’s house. Peter’s mother had always been kind to her, one of the few people who made her feel like family.
Martha greeted her at the door with a warm smile. “Ella, darling! What a surprise.”
Ella returned the smile, feeling a familiar comfort in the older woman’s presence. “I hope I’m not intruding.”
“Nonsense! Come in.”
The house smelled of freshly baked bread and cinnamon, instantly easing Ella’s tension.
“Tea or coffee?” Martha asked, leading her into the cozy kitchen.
“Tea, please.”
Martha poured them both a cup and motioned for Ella to sit. “How are you, sweetheart? You look a little... distant today.”
Ella hesitated. How was she supposed to answer that?
She took a sip of tea, stalling. “I’m fine.”
Martha gave her a knowing look. “I’ve known you long enough to tell when you’re lying.”
Ella let out a soft chuckle. “It’s just… Daniel’s been gone a lot lately. More than usual.”
Martha sighed, stirring her tea. “That boy was always restless. Even as a child, he had a way of making people feel like they were never enough.”
Ella looked up, surprised by her honesty. “You think so?”
Martha nodded. “You’re a good wife, Ella. But a marriage shouldn’t feel one-sided.”
The words stung because they were true.
Martha patted her hand gently. “And then there’s Peter.”
Ella tensed. “What about him?”
Martha gave her a searching look. “He told me he stopped by your house last night.”
Ella’s pulse quickened. “He did. It was… unexpected.”
Martha smiled knowingly. “Peter doesn’t do anything without reason.”
Ella frowned. “What do you mean?”
Martha hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “Peter had always kept his distance from this family. But not from you.”
Ella’s stomach fluttered, but she quickly dismissed the thought. “He was just checking in.”
Martha didn’t argue, but her eyes held something unreadable.
Ella cleared her throat, desperate to change the subject. “How have you been?”
Martha sighed, her gaze softening. “Lonely, if I’m being honest. This house is very quiet these days.”
Ella nodded, understanding all too well.
The rest of their conversation drifted into safer topics, but Martha’s words stayed with her.
"Peter doesn’t do anything without reason."
An Unexpected Encounter
Later that afternoon, Ella decided to take a walk through the park near her house. The crisp autumn air felt refreshing against her skin as she strolled along the winding path, lost in thought.
She barely noticed the figure sitting on a bench until she was close enough to recognize him.
Peter.
He sat with his elbows resting on his knees, staring at nothing in particular.
Ella hesitated before walking over. “You again.”
Peter looked up, a smirk playing on his lips. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Didn’t expect to see you either.”
She sat down beside him, the silence between them surprisingly comfortable.
After a moment, Peter spoke. “Did you sleep okay?”
Ella scoffed. “Not really.”
He nodded, as if he expected that. “I figured.”
She turned to him. “Why do you care?”
Peter exhaled, running a hand through his dark hair. “I don’t know. Maybe because you’re the only person in this family who doesn’t pretend.”
Ella frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Peter leaned back, stretching his legs. “Daniel put on a show. He always has. Pretends to be the perfect husband, the perfect business person. But you and I both know he’s not.”
Ella swallowed. “I don’t want to talk about Daniel.”
Peter glanced at her, his blue eyes unreadable. “Alright. Then let’s talk about you.”
She hesitated. “What about me?”
Peter studied her for a moment before speaking. “When was the last time you did something for yourself? Not for Daniel, not for your marriage, for you?”
Ella opened her mouth to answer but realized she didn’t have one.
Peter smirked. “That’s what I thought.”
She looked away, feeling exposed. “I don’t have time for that.”
“That’s not true. "You just don’t think you deserve it.”
The words hit harder than she wanted to admit.
Peter leaned in slightly. “You’re not just Daniel’s wife, Ella. You’re a person. You matter.”
Her throat tightened. No one had ever said that to her before.
She forced a small smile. “Since when did you become my personal therapist?”
Peter chuckled. “Trust me, I’m the last person qualified for that.”
Despite herself, Ella laughed.
For the first time in a long time, she felt seen.
The sun dipped lower in the sky, painting the horizon in shades of orange and pink. Ella knew she should leave, but she didn’t want to.
Peter broke the silence. “Walk with me?”
Ella hesitated before nodding. “Okay.”
As they strolled through the park, something shifted between them, something neither of them acknowledged, yet both felt.
A connection.
A dangerous one.
And Ella knew, deep down, that this was only the beginning.
- Writer
