Page 81 of Hidden Echoes

She narrows her eyes. “So you’re saying you only want to stay married to me because I’m beautiful?”

I smirk. “Basically.”

Mia rolls her eyes. “And you have the nerve to admit it.”

“Of course. That, and you’re kind of crazy.”

She sighs dramatically. “You’re lucky I like weird people.”

“Then we’re even.”

She shakes her head, but there’s a small smile at the corner of her lips. And that’s enough to keep me going.

“Maybe I can’t promise you some grand love story. Maybe I’m too broken for that.”

Mia blinks, surprised at my honesty.

I shrug. “But I have a waffle maker, an unlimited supply of Korean soap operas, enough glitter pens to last you a lifetime, and a halfway decent smile. Hopefully, that’s enough.”

I pick up the wedding ring she left behind and, without thinking too much about it, slide it back onto her finger.

She’s silent for a moment, staring at the ring. Then, she looks up at me.

And smiles.

“You had me at the waffle maker, idiot,” she says. Then, after a beat, “We need to go to that place where you can buy more waffles. We’re running out.”

“You mean the grocery store?”

“That’s the one!”

She laughs, leaning in to kiss my cheek before swiping the last waffle from my hand.

My chest feels lighter.

Only now do I realize how hard it was to breathe until I saw her smile again.

The plan was simple:go into the store, grab a few basics, and leave. Something efficient, quick, and hassle-free.

But then I realized I was shopping with Mia.

And Mia doesn't understand the concept of efficiency.

"Zane, look at this!" She rushes over to a shelf of cookies and holds up a package like she’s just unearthed buried treasure. "Have you tried these? I love them!"

"Then take it," I say, pushing the cart forward.

She beams and tosses the package inside without hesitation. And then she spots something else. And something else. And something else.

I follow behind, watching as our cart fills up with candy, chips, colorful juice boxes, and items I can't even identify.

I should intervene. I should put a limit on this.

But she’s so excited.

And I like seeing her like that.

When we reach the frozen foods section, Mia comes to an abrupt halt, her eyes widening with sheer delight.

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