Clara looked up and met Julian's confused and worried stare.
Her hands trembled around the worn soles of the old canvas sneakers.
She opened her dry lips to speak but hesitated for a moment.
A soft nervous gasp escaped her chest before she found her voice.
I am so sorry I am late, Clara whispered softly to him.
Julian looked closely at the cheap fabric of her dark maid apron.
It is almost three in the morning, Julian said as his voice cracked.
Tears welled up inside his bright blue eyes as he stepped closer.
My phone died while I was working, Clara explained through heavy sobbed breaths.
I could not call you or send a quick text message earlier.
Julian felt a sudden rush of warmth and deep confusion inside his chest.
Why are you working as a cleaning maid in some random building?
You are my wife and we have more than enough money here.
Clara wiped a stray tear away from her flushed check with her wrist.
She took a small step closer to the comfortable leather armchair.
I wanted to fix my family's old debt without taking your money.
My mother was facing severe mortgage foreclosure on her old home town house.
She begged me not to bother you with her past financial mistakes.
So I took a night cleaning shift at the corporate office downtown.
I worked six extra hours tonight just to cover her overdue fees.
Julian felt a sharp pain deep inside his heavy beating heart.
He could not believe she carried such a huge burden alone.
He never cared about money when it came to protecting her family.
He cared only about her safety and her emotional wellbeing.
Macro tear drops slowly spilled over his thick dark eyelashes.
A single heavy tear fell down his cheek from deep intense worry.
I thought something terrible had happened to you out on the roads.
I thought I lost you forever, Julian whispered with trembling lips.
Clara lowered her shoes to the soft rug on the floor.
She stepped closer to see the true emotion in his eyes.