A sigh of relief swept the room. Everyone feared scandal, but apparently, no storm. Gabriel smiled:
- Glad you find common ground. This way we’ll save the project and preserve reputation. Excellent! Let’s proceed immediately.
When the meeting ended and people dispersed, Maryanne approached Robert:
- Do you understand what this entails? You’ll have to invest huge sums, bearing main costs. Your partners might be unhappy—it’ll hit dividends.
- I know, — he replied, looking at her gratefully. — But you’re right. If we start scheming now, everything collapses. Better bend but keep trust.
She lowered her gaze:
- Glad you had the courage for this decision. And… — she paused, as if deciding, — I want you to know: if needed, I’m ready to personally lobby your interests in «Velara» to return part of costs from future profits. You won’t face this alone.
Robert felt immense warmth from these words. He lightly touched her hand:
- Thank you. I appreciate your support.
Gabriel, passing by, noticed this moment of sudden closeness, smiled at the corners of his mouth, and headed to the exit, discreetly not interfering.
Several more months passed. The construction was saved thanks to joint efforts. Robert kept his word and spared no money. Maryanne also fulfilled her promise, securing additional grants from «Velara» to cover expenses. A new level of trust settled between the spouses, gradually extending beyond business. They started calling not only for work but just to check in. Sometimes Maryanne unexpectedly received small gifts from Robert with notes: «In memory of times when we were carefree.» She didn’t always respond but kept them carefully.
The day came when they signed another investment document package and decided to celebrate in a small circle. They chose a quiet restaurant away from pompous spots. At the table, besides Robert and Maryanne, were a few mid-level employees, but soon they left, leaving the spouses alone. The waiter brought wine and Italian dishes.
- Time flies, and we’ve accomplished so much, — Maryanne said, neatly forking a piece of pasta. — Construction is even ahead of schedule.
- Yes, — Robert replied warmly. — All thanks to you. I don’t know what I’d do without your energy and «Velara» connections.
She waved it off:
- Without you, the project wouldn’t move either. You’re one of the best developers.
The conversation gradually shifted to personal. They recalled how they met, when Robert wasn’t rich yet but had ambitions, and Maryanne had just moved to the city hoping to enter university. Recalled trifles that seemed forgotten: walks in the park, feeding ducks, laughing at silly jokes. And suddenly realized they were laughing now, glancing at each other openly as they hadn’t in recent years.
- Strange, — Maryanne said through a smile, — as if we’re reviving, but in different roles. Now we’re successful entrepreneurs, each with power and money.
- And back then, two young fools who couldn’t imagine where life would take them, — Robert picked up. — Sometimes I want to return that period, but I know time can’t be reversed. But we can try starting anew, at a new level. If you want that.
She looked into his eyes. He timidly suggested restoring the family again. And for the first time, she felt maybe worth giving a chance. After all, he had changed—more attentive, responsible, stopped boasting wealth, didn’t pressure her.
She exhaled quietly:
- Maybe it is worth trying. But I’m still afraid we can’t forget the hurts.
- I understand. And I don’t ask to forget, just give me a chance to make amends. I want, — he paused, — for you to come back home. To our home. Or, if you want, we can start in a new place without bad memories.
Maryanne pondered. It scared her, but she saw his sincerity.
- Let’s try, — she finally said. — But slowly. I can move to the guest room for now, not to feel fully obligated. Then we’ll see.
- Good, agreed, — he smiled, feeling a wave of happiness. — Thank you, Maryanne.
In response, she touched his hand on the table, and he replied with a light squeeze. Maybe this was just the first step, but now both understood the road to reconciliation was open.
A few weeks later, they returned to their luxurious mansion. Maryanne indeed took the guest room, avoiding the former marital bedroom. She still wasn’t ready for full intimacy but agreed to dine together, discuss daily affairs. Robert waited patiently, showed care, renovated some rooms to create a comfortable atmosphere for her.
They were still absorbed in the project: trips, meetings, presentations, press interactions. But now they returned to one home, and that changed everything. Sometimes evenings they just sat in the living room, drank tea, talked about childhood, dreams. Between them bloomed a new feeling—more mature and attentive.
One day, when Robert washed dishes after joint dinner—a trifle, but previously unthinkable for him, he shoved it to staff—Maryanne entered the kitchen and watched. She smiled:
- I’d never think I’d see you doing this.
Robert spread his hands, splashing soapy foam on the apron:
- Wanted to do something nice. I was an egoist before, sorry.
- Yes, you were, — she agreed without reproach, rather with a chuckle. — Thanks.
She stood beside and began wiping the dishes he rinsed. For a moment, their hands touched, and they met eyes. Then Maryanne dared: stood on tiptoes and lightly, almost weightlessly kissed him. In this kiss was warmth he hadn’t felt in ages. He carefully embraced her waist, not to scare, and returned the kiss. The clatter of dishes stopped, water dripped in the sink, and they stood pressed together, understanding that perhaps in this moment began their true second start.
By the completion of the international project’s first phase, everyone knew changes had occurred in the Hayes family. They appeared together at meetings not just as business partners but as people looking at each other with warmth and love. Gossip circulated, of course, but over time, people got used and stopped paying attention.
Robert no longer felt ashamed of his wife—on the contrary, he was proud of her successes and often emphasized in conversations that thanks to her influence and intellect they reached such heights. Maryanne learned to forgive his past hurts, seeing he had sincerely changed. Yes, they had disagreements, but resolved them without shouts and mutual reproaches.
One day, during the final meeting at «Velara’s» office abroad, Robert and Maryanne arrived together, a bit delayed by traffic. Everyone was already at the massive conference table, headed by Gabriel. Beside him, in the main seat, sat Maryanne as international director. Noticing Robert lagged slightly, she gestured him to sit next. When he settled, Gabriel said with a smile:
- Finally, you two. Maryanne—our brilliant leader, and Robert—an integral part of the project. I’m glad we’ve come to this outcome.
Robert smiled quietly, recalling how once he froze in shock seeing his wife at the table’s head. Now it seemed natural and right. He looked at her with pride. Here was the woman he had undervalued, now considering her the most reliable support. And she, noticing his gaze, responded with a light smile—without arrogance, without fear, simply with love.
The meeting began, delving into details. But for Robert, it was as if everything had already happened: he gained not only business success but a chance for a new happy future with the wife he once felt ashamed of. And now that seemed the main outcome of all negotiations, trips, and trials.