Page 91 of Unfaithful

But Maria knew. She understood what I was going through without me having to say a word. And she knew me well enoughto recognize that my pride wouldn't allow me to break down in front of everyone.

So, she simply rubbed my arm gently and said, "Let me walk you home."

Then, after a brief pause, she smiled and corrected herself. "Or... we can run together."

I gave her a watery smile, one that never reached my eyes. But deep down, I was grateful she was there.

We walked fast, hurried. And true to her words, Maria stayed beside me, her presence a quiet source of strength. Every so often, she whispered, "Just a few more steps, sweetie. Hold on."

A sob escaped me. I couldn't hold it in anymore. My vision blurred with tears, but I kept running, pushing through the crowd, blind to where I was going.

Then, I crashed into a solid chest.

Strong arms wrapped around me, steadying me. And in the midst of my breaking, a deep, gentle voice whispered quietly to me.

"Peaches. I'm here."

I looked up, my vision blurry, but I didn't need clarity to know the worry in his eyes.

His hands reached for my face, fingers warm and sure. Gently, his thumbs wiped away my tears, clearing them one by one, until I could finally see him.

"I'll take you home, okay?" he said, giving me a small smile.

I nodded before turning to Maria, who was eyeing Archie with narrowed eyes, suspicion evident.

"I'll walk behind you," she said firmly. "Just to make sure you're okay."

Archie took my right hand, and I covered his with my left. With our hands clasped tightly together, we walked quickly toward my house.

It wasn't far. I could already see my front door, just a few steps away. But somehow, the short distance stretched endlessly before me, my legs carrying me forward while my heart begged me to stop, to breathe, to gather myself before I broke down completely.

When we reached the steps, Maria nudged my arm gently while Archie walked up to open the door. I turned to her, and she met my gaze with quiet understanding.

"When I walked by earlier, I saw him standing in front of your doorstep," she said. "He stared down this side of the road, looking so damn agitated. I called you to ask if you knew him, but you didn't pick up. Now I know he was waiting for you. The moment he saw you, he jumped down right away."

She gave my arm a gentle squeeze. "I'm so sorry for what you're going through, Sara. I know how it feels. I'm here if you need me. Just give me a call, okay?"

I nodded, forcing a smile, and watched as Maria turned and walked away.

"Sara," Archie's voice was soft, pulling my attention back to him.

When I turned, he had already extended his hand to me. Without hesitation, I took it, and together, we stepped inside.

Archie closed the door behind me, and I stood frozen, my sobs wracking my body, tears spilling endlessly. My living room blurred before me, but his presence remained solid just behindme. He didn't speak, didn't move. He simply stayed. A quiet reassurance in the storm of my grief.

I forced my feet to move forward, sinking onto the sofa in the living room. Archie followed, hesitant at first, but when I held up my hand, an invitation, he sat beside me. Without a word, I inched closer, curling into the refuge under his arm, my head finding its place on his chest.

For what felt like an eternity, I wept in quiet tremors, his hand tracing gentle circles on my back, his voice a tender echo in the stillness, "It's going to be okay. You're going to be okay. Let it out, Peaches. Let it all out."

And so, I did.

I let the grief, the anger, the exhaustion pour out of me in broken sobs. I clung to him, burying my face into his chest as I unraveled, piece by piece, shedding the weight I had carried alone. And through it all, he never let go.

After a while, my mind blurred, as though my thoughts had retreated into some hidden sanctuary, a defense against pain and heartbreak. I felt distant, detached, as if encased in glass, watching the world from behind a fragile barrier. Yet his heartbeat remained—a calming, grounding rhythm—and the steady rise and fall of his breath kept me anchored to my sanity.

Then voices pierced the haze, familiar and warm. Emma's arms encircled me, her embrace firm from behind as she asked Archie, "What happened?"

I didn't catch his reply, but I felt Julian's hand grasp my knee and give it a gentle squeeze, a silent promise that he was here for me.

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