Kapitel 11: Chapter Nine: Cracks in the Wall
Mia was starting to notice the subtle changes in her life since Adrian's return. The boys' laughter seemed louder, their smiles brighter, and even the house felt warmer. Adrian had found ways to insert himself into their world without disrupting it—like helping with school projects or cooking breakfast on Sunday mornings.
But with each step forward, Mia felt an internal struggle. Letting Adrian back into their lives was one thing; letting him back into her heart was another.
---
One afternoon, while the boys were at a friend's birthday party, Adrian suggested they grab a coffee. Mia hesitated, but curiosity won out.
They sat at a cozy café near the park, the smell of roasted beans and baked goods filling the air. Adrian stirred his coffee absently, his gaze focused on her.
"You seem quiet," he said.
"I'm just... processing," Mia admitted, wrapping her hands around her mug.
He nodded, his expression understanding. "It's a lot. I get that."
Mia bit her lip, debating whether to voice the question that had been nagging her. Finally, she looked at him and said, "Why now, Adrian? Why come back after all this time?"
Adrian's jaw tightened, and he leaned back in his chair, his eyes clouding with regret. "I've asked myself that question a hundred times," he began. "At first, I didn't know what I was running from. Responsibility, fear, the pressure of becoming a father—I was immature and selfish. But then I realized I wasn't just running from you or the boys. I was running from myself."
Mia's heart twisted, but she stayed silent, letting him continue.
"When I found out about them, something shifted. I couldn't ignore it anymore. I knew I'd made the biggest mistake of my life. Coming back... it's my way of trying to make things right. Even if it's too late for us, I want to be the father they deserve."
His honesty left Mia momentarily speechless. She had imagined countless explanations for his absence over the years, but hearing the truth was both painful and strangely healing.
"It hurt," she said finally, her voice quiet but steady. "When you left, it broke something in me. I had to rebuild my life, brick by brick, for their sake. And now you're here, asking to be part of something you walked away from. That's not easy for me to reconcile."
Adrian reached across the table, his hand hovering near hers but not quite touching. "I don't expect it to be easy. But I'm here, Mia. And I'm not giving up."
Mia pulled her hand back, folding her arms protectively. "We'll see," she said, her voice guarded.
---
The following weekend, Adrian invited Mia and the boys to his apartment for dinner. It was a modest but welcoming space, filled with evidence of his efforts to connect with them. There were coloring books on the coffee table, a small bookshelf stocked with children's stories, and even a bunk bed in the spare room.
"Is this for us?" Liam asked, his eyes wide as he climbed onto the top bunk.
Adrian smiled. "It is. I wanted you to have a place here too."
Mia watched the exchange from the doorway, her emotions warring between admiration and skepticism. Adrian was trying—there was no denying that. But part of her still waited for the other shoe to drop.
Over dinner, the boys chattered excitedly about school and their favorite cartoons. Adrian listened intently, asking questions and laughing at their antics. For a moment, it felt like they were a real family.
But as the night wound down and the boys fell asleep in the spare room, reality came crashing back.
---
"Can we talk?" Adrian asked, joining Mia on the balcony where she stood staring at the city lights.
She nodded, her arms wrapped around herself against the cool evening air.
"I know you're still unsure about me," he said, his voice steady. "And I don't blame you. But I want to know what I can do to make you believe in me again."
Mia turned to face him, her eyes searching his. "I don't know if you can," she admitted. "Trust isn't something you just earn back overnight. It takes time."
"I'm willing to wait," Adrian said without hesitation. "I'll wait as long as it takes, Mia. Because you and the boys are worth it."
His words hit her like a wave, threatening to break down the walls she had spent years building. But she couldn't afford to let herself be vulnerable—not yet.
"We'll see," she said again, the phrase becoming her shield.
Adrian nodded, a flicker of sadness in his eyes, but he didn't press her. "One step at a time," he said softly.
---
Later that night, as Mia tucked the boys into their bunk beds, she lingered for a moment, watching their peaceful faces. She thought about everything Adrian had done to prove himself since his return. Maybe, just maybe, he was serious about staying.
Back in the living room, Adrian was cleaning up the remnants of dinner. Mia hesitated in the doorway before stepping inside.
"You're doing a good job with them," she said quietly.
He looked up, surprised but pleased. "Thanks. That means a lot coming from you."
For the first time in years, Mia allowed herself to entertain the possibility that this could work—not just for the boys, but for her too.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein