48

XANDER’S POV

“Yes,” she answered, waiting for me to speak but I couldn’t say anything. Instead, I watched her.

This was the first time I was sharing a meal with her, a fact that hit me harder than I expected.

I thought of how I acted after our wedding. I never ate what she cooked back then. I was always out, never staying home.

She waited for me every night, and I never cared. I was really cruel.

Adeline looked at me, confused. She dropped her spoon on the table and sipped her water, her eyes searching mine.

“Is everything okay, Xander. You called my name and said nothing.”

"I'm glad we're doing this shoot, you and I," I said, breaking the silence.

"I really wanted to talk to you for a very long time, but I had no idea where to start. And you hated and avoided me."

I spoke sincerely and she nodded uncomfortably and said,

"It’s just work. Let’s get through it." She tried to stand and go drop her plate, but I reached out and held her hand.

"Please," I said, feeling her hand slip awa