The sound of ocean waves crashed softly against the rocks.
Mark pulled his car to the curb of a street.
Small colorful houses lined the edge of the blue bay.
He walked up the wooden path toward a small cottage.
Yellow flowers grew wild in the tiny front yard garden.
He stepped onto the small front porch with hesitation today.
His heart beat so hard he could hear it clearly.
He raised his hand and knocked softly on the door.
Footsteps echoed from inside the quiet wooden house fast.
The door opened slowly to reveal a slender blonde woman.
She wore a simple apron over a light green dress.
Her hair was tied back in a soft loose bun.
Mark's breath caught in his chest at the sight.
It was Clara, older but unmistakably his missing wife today.
She dropped the wooden spoon she was holding right away.
Clara: Mark? How did you ever find me here?
Mark: Lily found your letter in the old attic chest!
Tears spilled over Clara's cheeks as she stepped forward.
Clara: Evelyn told me you were dead five years ago!
Mark gasped in total shock at her sudden emotional words.
Mark: She told me you died in a car crash!
Clara put her hands over her face and sobbed loud.
Clara: She showed me a fake obituary in the paper!
Mark reached out and pulled her into a tight embrace.
The warm feeling of holding her was completely real now.
He held her close while she cried against his suit.
Mark: She lied to both of us to keep us apart!
Clara: She said I would go to prison if left!
Mark held her face between his warm hands tenderly now.
Mark: It is over now, I know the truth today.
Clara looked into his eyes with deep affection and relief.
She had lived in fear and isolation for five years.
Now the giant nightmare was finally coming to an end.
Mark took her hand and held it tightly in his.
Mark: Come home with me right now, my love.