Tears filled Mrs. Davidson's eyes. She moved her plate to Nathalia and said, "Don't be silly. Have mine." Silly girl. You are too sweet. How can I not love you?

Nathalia moved the plate back to Mrs. Davidson, and with the same happy grin, she said, "Mum has been waiting for us all night and worked hard at the kitchen. This is for mum."

​​

"I was just joking. There's some more in the pot. One plate isn't enough for you two." Mrs. Davidson said, "Spencer, why don't you go and take out the pot and another plate, please?"

"Sure." Spencer was all smiles and hurried into the kitchen.

The family ate quietly. Spencer couldn't help watching Nathalia now and then, who had all her heart on her plate and satisfying her tummy. Affection filled his eyes.

Mrs. Davidson looked at the couple and felt comforted. The awkward feeling in Curt slowly faded and was replaced with a new sense of coziness. Is this what home is like? He thought to himself. You just feel, you just feel home, being in it.

Nathalia finished her plate, wiped her lips with a tissue, and said gratefully, "Thank you, mum."

It brought a smile to Mrs. Davidson's face and swept away all her worries. "Did you like it?"

Nathalia nodded, "I loved it! No wonder Spencer always told me how much he missed it."

On hearing so, Mrs. Davidson suddenly realized that she had neglected her son in the past years. She had hardly spent time with him, cooked for him.

Nathalia turned to Curt and asked, "What do you think? Yummy?"

Somehow Mrs. Davidson felt nervous as if she had asked the question herself. She awaited the answer.

With his eyes on the plate, Curt replied, "Very good." He had actually asked for more, which surprised himself as well. The taste of home. He thought.

Mrs. Davidson lowered her head to hide her teary eyes from them. "You have eaten in all the fancy restaurants. It's really a compliment that you actually enjoy some simple homemade food.

She had once taken cooking classes just to learn how to cook for him, and she had prepared a feast for him every day, waiting for him to return home. Yet, he never did. All her effort and love was ignored and unappreciated. She had waited for so long that she finally gave up.

Ironically, now that she had given up waiting for him, he was now trying her cooking for the very first time.

Is this what's called fate? She couldn't help mocking herself.

Curt looked at his wife affectionately and said apologetically, "I've made many mistakes, and I'd love to make it up from now on."

He paused for a bit, then asked timidly, "Can I?"

Nathalia pulled at Spencer's sleeve and looked up at the stairs to imply that they should leave.

They walked away quietly. A bit worried, Spencer took another look at his parents at the stairs. Nathalia smiled and whispered, "It's better to give them space and time. It will be good for them."

Sue looked up all of a sudden, her eyes red and teary. "To make it up?! Forget it. I've grown used to living life without you."

To make it up? How is it possible? Over twenty years of waiting, what can make up for that? What can heal the wounded heart? Or to get rid of the scars? I'm not a little puppy that just wiggles my tail when you are pleased and hides in the corner when you don't want me.

Perhaps it was because of the feeling of home and coziness; perhaps it was because of the morning light glowing in the east; perhaps it was because he had sincerely changed. Curt lowered his head, and in a pleading voice, he asked, "Sue, please, for the sake of Spencer, give me another chance. I will learn to be a good husband." Though he had no idea how to be one, he could at least learn, he thought.

Tears streaming down her cheeks, Sue Davidson couldn't hide her pain anymore. "Can I still trust you?"

Curt felt a heavyweight on his heart. It was so heavy that it was suffocating. He owed her too much. They bore a son together, and that was the only thing that he had given her.

"Why not? We have Spencer. Let's forget the past and restart life together." Curt said a bit emotionally.

Sue shook her head. "Can you really take the responsibility as a father and husband? Will you really not fool around with women anymore? What if I see you cheating on me again?"

Her questions made Curt feel guilt and remorse. "Sue, Emma, and I were just..."On hearing the name of Emma, Sue snapped sternly, "Don't you mention that name again. It disgusts me."

If it was other women, perhaps it would be easier for her to forgive and forget, but how could she forgive her own family for betraying her?

She suddenly stood up and demanded icily, "You should leave."

Proud as he was, Curt stood up and turned to leave. Before he got to the door, he paused and said, "I never have any feelings for her. It was never anything serious. I was just young and stupid."

When she caught sight of them, she lost control, and she lost her mind. He did regret it. But, it wasn't his intention. However, it was too late to explain.

"What's serious? What's real? I have not been smart enough to tell, but from now on, I don't have to be." She still felt pain recalling the past, though it wasn't the pain that used to tear her heart apart, that would suffocate her.

"Sue," he was to say something but changed his mind, having to realize that it would all be in vain. "Take care." He walked out and closed the door behind.

Sue collapsed into the chair, her hands covering her face. She was sobbing hard, her body trembling.

Spencer and Nathalia had been sitting on the stairs, watching quietly. Spencer stood up. He didn't say a word. He didn't go downstairs to comfort his mother but went up to their bedroom. Nathalia looked at Spencer, then at Mrs. Davidson, hesitated for a bit, and followed Spencer.

It's probably better for mum to be alone. Let her cry. She needs to let it out. Things will get better. I love you, mum.