After all this time

For @Samuel

Leaving hadn't been her choice. She had forced to be away for so long, and yet she knew that she had had to leave Samuel alone. And she also knew that he did not take lightly to being betrayed. But what other choice had she truly had?
Eilish looked as the same as the day she had disappeared. Her hair however had grown longer, and while she had a few more scars, they were not visible. As always she was wearing a rather put together outfit; A green dress that clearly disregarded the cold weather outside, a pair of heels that would put even a model to shame. She carried herself with dignity as she went up the stairs to the front door, looking around as she could remember every feature of this well-sculptured home; A place that her and Samuel had built from the ground up. Touching the archway lightly she just walked in. It was a surprise to her that he hadn't changed the code. Their wedding date. But she supposed that very few alive knew that date anyways.
Walking around she felt the memories come back to her. The staircase that Samuel had carried her up so many times after a long day. He had always tended to her. Been gentle with her like no other man in her life ever had, and yet she knew what he was capable of. He was a great leader, an amazing business man, and she respected that. And yet he had let her into his life, let her help expand his empire, even if it was an empire built within the shadows and cracks of the world. It was almost strange how things looked the same, and yet a sadness within her grew - though it was not one that showed on her face.
Eilish had always been a woman who hid her emotions. Perhaps that was why her and Samuel had worked so well; they understood the need to not be emotional and the seriousness of the world and life itself. Touching the nameplate of a painting she however couldn't help but pull up in a small smile. It was a painting that she had adored and Samuel had gifted it to her on one of their anniversaries. Even if it seemed that they were not a very loving couple, behind closed doors they had a special relationship. One built on trust and mutual understanding. But the trust she had broken the day she had disappeared. Everyone had thought her to be dead; a false account that she had forced Gareth into conveying. And yet she was sure he couldn't remember that part. Her obligations had been elsewhere, and now that she was back she was unsure if she even wanted to stay. What of her life with Samuel? Was it not completely ruined? And then there was that inner hope that he had indeed moved on; that he had a good life despite her absence, but the lack of changes worried her.
Moving up the stairs she could see that everything was kept neat and tidy. He had always had a good eye for hiring the best workers. She knew that she had to leave the house soon, but there was something here that she needed. Something that she had left behind, and she was sure Samuel had kept it, even if it was a stupid and sentimental thing; Her wedding ring. It was a symbol of the life she had had. And it carried something more than that. It carried a strength, a power, which she needed to recover. Moving some hair behind her ear she headed towards his study, seeing how everything was as it had been. Well, besides the fact that he had removed the picture that he had on his desk of them. It had been a picture that he initially had hated, and yet she had made the call that it had to be there. And of course Samuel had had no way of fighting her order.
Looking around the different cupboards and drawers, always leaving everything neatly as they were, she moved on. The bedroom? Her hand rested on the door handle, hesitating as that room had been a safe haven for them. A room where nobody but them had been allowed. A room where they could let down their facades every now and again and be vulnerable - or as vulnerable as they were capable of being. Deciding to open the door, the smell of him made her close her eyes, just breathing it in. It was all around in here. How she had missed that scent; it being a place of refuge for her. Opening her eyes she moved further inside, touching the soft bedsheets. The color still the faint blue, soft as silk and it made her want to just lie down in it. But she refrained, walking over to the bedside table. She had used to have a small jewelry box on top of hers, keeping just the essential jewelry she always wore. But it wasn't there. Her heart picked up in beat, looking in the drawer but it wasn't there either. Had he truly just discarded of it? That wasn't really the Samuel she had known.