Then, without a clear explanation, everything changed. Mark began consistently refusing to make the trip. Every weekend, he had a different excuse ready. Urgent work projects that couldn't wait. Overwhelming exhaustion that required rest at home. Terrible headaches that prevented me from driving. Always the vague promise of "maybe next weekend" that never materialized.
At first, I didn't think much of his reluctance. People go through phases where they need different things. I assumed he was simply tired or stressed and that eventually he'd want to return to our old routine.
I couldn't have been more wrong about what was really going on.
The call that changed everything
. One Tuesday afternoon, like any other, I received a call from our neighbor in the village near our country house. She was an elderly woman who lived in the area year-round and lovingly looked after the surrounding properties.
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