"Hey, man?" Samuel lifted his head from the table, looking at Holland, who stood by the door. "I am done for the day. Want me to wait for you?""No, thanks. Go ahead.""Are you sure you're okay? You've been like this ever since we came back from lunch. Did you fight with Kali?""No. I am just tired.""You're sure.""Yeah. I'll be out of here soon. I have a few files to look over and sort through.""Okay. I'll see you.""Good night."Holland left, and Samuel looked around his office. It was getting late, and he promised Kali he'd be home early. He looked at his wedding ring, twisting it around his finger thoughtfully.Today, it seemed he got through to Flora better than he did the first time they spoke. He had been hard, but only to finally get through to her that things weren't the same. He didn't want her holding on to hope and realise later that there was nothing to salvage. She would only be miserable like that.

On the last night, after a long day of celebrating Peter's birthday, everyone gathered around the large pit fire to have some drinks. Their parents went to bed early. They played a round of games, then moved to relieve the week before falling into conversations about their plans for the coming week. When they ran out of drinks, Samuel and Ember went to the nearest bar to pick up another round. As he waited, he watched everyone on the beach, especially his older brother. "Have you spoken to him?"

Samuel found his mother at home. She had been working in the garden when he called. She stayed there to keep their conversation away from the rest of the family. Samuel didn't have an issue with it. "Good afternoon, mom." "Good afternoon. You found me. What can I do for you?" "Why did you say those things to her?" He got straight to the point. "It's not my fault you were keeping your secrets. You two looked so close, and yet you weren't." "I don't care that you told her about Richard. Why did you say those things to her?" "You have to be more specific." "You told her I thought she was comparing me with him. Why?" "Isn't it the truth?" "You know that it's not. You said those things to humiliate her further. You wanted to hurt her. Why? Why must you do this anytime I feel a smidgen of happiness? What is it about me that makes you want to hurt me?" "Don't get ahead of yourself. At this point, I am saving yo

Samuel rushed to Ember's apartment after getting her call. He was worried about Kali. Especially since his sister told him she had called her, sounding panicked and distressed. He didn't know how the conversation with Richard went, but he wasn't sure he even wanted to know."Where is she?""Sleeping." Ember let him into the apartment. "I gave her a hot cup of tea and some sleeping pills. She needed the rest.""Thank you.""Come on."She led him to the guest room and opened the door. Samuel went to her. He knelt and touched her head hesitantly. She looked better than when she left the house. There was that, at least."Let her sleep," Ember whispered, holding the door open and signalling him out.They went to the living room, and she left to get him some water. Samuel stretched out on the couch. He threw his arm over his eyes and listened to the noise as Ember moved around."Here. Drink this."He peeked from under his arm

Kali walked into her sister's apartment. She had planned to visit her earlier but kept pushing the date back until she couldn't anymore. June was home, and Kali left work early to catch her sister before it was too late. Samuel had taken the first step with Ember, and it was her turn. If she waited, who's to tell what Ysabel might do? Just as she informed Kali about Richard as a desperate attempt to cause a rift between them, she might say something to June one of these days. "I am glad you came. Sit. Can I get you anything?" June asked.