Chapter 163

**Philip**

I'm here at Serenity Pines Estate, seeking a bit of solitude before midnight passes. Despite weeks of working nonstop, Sarah's presence lingered everywhere. Her hold on my heart hasn't faded with time or distance.

As soon as I stepped through the door, it felt like I could see a younger Sarah sitting on the couch, waiting for me. In my mind's eye, she stood, a warm smile gracing her lips. "Have you eaten?"

Reality hit hard as my fist clenched. These were just memories, as delicate as spun glass. I walked to the kitchen, where the marble countertops glowed in the moonlight. My hands shook as I reached for the crystal decanter, pouring a generous amount of aged scotch. The amber liquid shimmered, offering a brief escape from my thoughts.

I bought Serenity Pines on the second night Sarah and I were married, ensuring it had top-notch security. Sarah might not have noticed, but every part of this home was a tribute to her-from the soft cream bedroom walls to the handcrafted bookshelves filled with her favorite books, according to Jane.

The scotch burned a path down my throat as I lost myself in memories. One glass became two, and it became half the bottle.

I've lost track of time. In the back of my mind, I knew Iris and Rowan were waiting in Villa Serafina, probably wondering why Daddy was late again.

My feet shuffled across the soft carpet as I headed to our bedroom. My chest tightens at the thought of how much of a dishonorable husband I've been. But this room also used to be filled with Sarah's scent, her laughter, her smiles

It felt like Sarah was sitting at the edge of the bed. Kneeling there, I clutched the cover, and tears streamed down my face. How long has it been since I last felt her hand in mine? How long have I been hurting like this?

The pain, which I had kept hidden during the day, came out in heavy sobs.

"Please come back, my love" I plead into the darkness. This morning's breakfast flashed through my mind-Rowan's innocent gray eyes looking up at me over a bowl of cereal, asking when we would visit Mommy. The question had lodged in my heart like a splinter.

Maybe it's the alcohol deepening my emotions, but I can't stop the tears as I crouch on the bed.

"Philip?" The voice makes me freeze. I look toward the door, where the sound of my name came from. Our room is dark, but I see my wife's figure in a white dress.

Sarah never wore white. In the four years she spent as Iris and Rowan's mother, she recovered from mourning our first child, but she only wore blue, gray, and black-nothing colorful, nothing bright, no white

"Are you an angel?" I murmured.

"I miss you, Philip" she said.

Her gray, round eyes offered me a sense of calm.

"You're not going to leave me again, are you?" I asked, my voice tinged with hurt and desperation. I must have been intoxicated.

**Sarah**

My car's wheels crunched on the gravel as I drove up to the gate of Serenity Pines. The estate stood dark and imposing, its windows like empty eyes in the night. I parked behind Philip's black sedan, my heart racing with anticipation and a bit of nervousness.

Trey, Philip's bodyguard and driver, was leaning against his car. As recognition dawned in his eyes, he inhaled sharply. I pressed a finger to my lips, signaling him to keep quiet.

"M-Madam Sarah!" he exclaimed in a low tone as if he had seen a ghost. He approached me, eyes wide. "It's true! It's really you!"

"Where's Philip?" I asked. "Why are you still here? I've been at Villa Serafina with the children for some time now."

"You've been here for a while?" His lips parted further. "No one reported to us."

"I wanted to surprise Philip," I explained. "I'll go inside." I didn't wait for his response and entered through the slightly open gate. The lights throughout the villa were dim as if they had been intentionally kept dark.

The front door opened quietly at my touch. The living room was empty, showing signs of loneliness. In the kitchen, a half-empty bottle of scotch and a used glass hinted at lonely night and unspoken sorrows.

My feet carried me up the stairs, and I found him in our bedroom, hunched over by the edge of the bed, his body wracked with sobs.

The sight pierced my heart like a dagger. I used to think there was no hope that Philip would love me, but here was the evidence...

He chose to keep our children away from Serenity Pines so they wouldn't see him at his lowest. He didn't want them to witness his sorrow.

"Philip..." I called softly.

I never thought Philip could surpass the love I had for him. He loved me more deeply than I ever felt capable of loving him. Love is not a competition, but my feelings for him felt inadequate.

My heart constricted when he asked if I wouldn't leave him.

"Yes..." I replied, approaching him and offering my hand to help him stand. He took it but placed his weight on the bed to help himself up.

"Are you an angel?" Philip asked, his rough hands gently holding my cheeks. The pungent smell of whiskey on his breath made me wonder if he was sober.

I fought back a chuckle. "No, Philip... just me."

He ran his fingers through my hair, his gaze moving from my cheek down to my lips.

"Happy birthday, Philip!" I said, forcing a bright smile despite my jetlag.

He pulled me into a hug. "Thank you, my love" After a moment, he seemed to realize. "I need to sober up. I can't go home like this. Iris would give me that disapproving look, and Rowan... would figure out I've been drinking."

"You've done well, Philip. Our kids are amazing!" I felt tears prickling at the corners of my eyes, overwhelmed by the moment.

His thumb gently brushed away a stray tear. "Don't cry... Will you stay with me for a while? Just until I'm more... presentable?"

"Of course!" Didn't he know I had just arrived from another country? Thankfully, I'd slept through the entire flight.

Serenity Pines will always be our sanctuary of love.

The scent of pine and lavender filled the air as we settled into the soft bed with Philip's arms around me.

I silently prayed for smoother sailing ahead-no more earth-shattering revelations or family crises. We could navigate this new