CHAPTER 74

Alexander quickly stepped in, sensing Margaret's discomfort. "We're really busy, Sandra. We need to get going," he said, his tone polite but firm.

Sandra nodded, giving Margaret one last scrutinizing look before stepping back. "Of course. Take care, both of you."

Alexander gently guided Margaret back to the car. They walked in silence, the tension between them palpable. Once inside the car, the quiet continued, each lost in their thoughts.

After a few minutes, Alexander broke the silence. "Margaret, what really happened that day?"

Margaret's hands started to tremble, and she looked down, unable to meet his eyes. "I'm sorry, Alexander. I didn't know what came over me that day. I... I just don't know," she whispered, her voice breaking.

Tears began to stream down her face, and she kept repeating, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

Alexander's heart ached to see her like this. He pulled over to the side of the road, parked the car, and quickly moved to her side. He opened her door and took her hands in his, his grip firm and reassuring.

"Margaret, look at me," he said softly, lifting her chin so their eyes met. "I know it's difficult. I promise I'll find whoever did this to you, and they will pay for it. You're not alone in this."

Margaret nodded, tears still flowing, but his words seemed to make her cry even more. Alexander pulled her into a gentle embrace, holding her as she cried, his resolve to uncover the truth growing stronger with each passing moment.

Margaret tried to compose herself, taking deep breaths to steady her shaking hands. "It was so sudden, Alexander. One moment everything was fine, and the next... I don't know what happened. I just... I'm so scared."

Alexander stroked her hair gently, his voice a soothing murmur. "It's okay, Margaret. You're safe now. Take your time."

She leaned into him, drawing strength from his presence. "I've been trying to remember, but it's all a blur. I keep seeing flashes of that day, but nothing makes sense. I feel like I'm losing my mind."

Alexander's grip tightened around her. Margaret pulled back slightly, looking into his eyes. "I just feel so guilty. Like I should have done something, or maybe I did something wrong. It's eating me up inside."

"Margaret, listen to me," Alexander said firmly. "Whoever did this to you is to blame, not you. We'll find them, and they'll face the consequences."

They sat in silence for a few moments, the weight of their conversation settling in. Alexander held her hand, his thumb tracing soothing circles on her skin. Margaret began to feel a bit calmer, and the storm of emotions gradually subsided.

Finally, Alexander spoke again. "Let's get out of here. I have other space to show you." He said, trying to make Margret regain her usual self.

Margaret nodded, grateful for his understanding. "That sounds good, Alexander."

He helped her back into her seat and returned to the driver's side. As they drove to the following office space, the initial sense of hope began to wane. Margaret remained silent, her thoughts clearly elsewhere. Alexander kept stealing glances at her, worried but determined to keep their day on track.

When they arrived at the first office, Alexander parked and turned to Margaret. "Ready to check this one out?"

Margaret nodded, but the enthusiasm in her voice was noticeably absent. "Yeah, let's see it."

They walked through the space, with Alexander pointing out potential features and benefits, but Margaret's responses were distant and distracted.

After a quick tour, they headed back to the car. Margaret gave a small, forced smile. "It's nice, but..."

"But it's not quite right," Alexander finished for her, understanding. "Let's head to the next one."

The second office space was similar. Margaret walked through the rooms, her movements almost mechanical. She nodded at Alexander's comments, but her eyes were unfocused, and her usual keen attention to detail was missing.

Alexander stopped in the middle of the tour, gently taking Margaret's hand. "Margaret, are you sure you're up for this today? We can always come back another time."

Margaret looked at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I'm sorry, Alexander. I thought I could do this, but my mind is just... somewhere else."

He squeezed her hand reassuringly. "It's okay. Let's head home."

As they drove back, the silence in the car felt heavy, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was a shared understanding that today wasn't the day to make big decisions. Margaret leaned back in her seat, the familiar surroundings of their neighborhood coming into view.

When they finally arrived home, Alexander helped her out of the car and into the house. "Why don't you rest for a bit? I'll make us something to eat."

Margaret nodded, exhaustion clear on her face. "That sounds nice."

She settled onto the couch while Alexander moved to the kitchen. The simple act of preparing a meal helped him center his thoughts, and he hoped it would bring some comfort to Margaret as well.

He returned with a tray of sandwiches and tea, setting it down on the coffee table. They ate in silence, the normalcy of the moment slowly easing the tension of the day. Alexander put an arm around Margaret, drawing her close.

Margaret leaned her head on his shoulder, her eyes closing. "I'm sorry, Alexander. I feel like I have wronged you."

"Margaret whatever it is as long as you can tell me " he said softly. "i'll forgive you. You're my wife, and I love you. We'll take it one step at a time."

As they sat together, the world outside faded away, leaving only the comfort of each other's presence. Despite the lingering fears and uncertainties, being together made everything seem a little more manageable.

As they drove to the following office space, the initial sense of hope began to wane. Margaret remained silent, her thoughts clearly elsewhere. Alexander kept stealing glances at her, worried but determined to keep their day on track.

When they arrived at the first office, Alexander parked and turned to Margaret. "Ready to check this one out?"

Margaret nodded, but the enthusiasm in her voice was noticeably absent. "Yeah, let's see it."

They walked through the space, with Alexander pointing out potential features and benefits, but Margaret's responses were distant and distracted. She tried to engage, but her mind kept drifting back to their earlier conversation and the unresolved trauma lingering in her thoughts.