The bartender approached and asked, “You must be Theodore, this lady's husband, right?"

Holden found himself frozen, a whirlwind of intricate emotions swirling within as the server fixed a quizzical gaze upon him. After a moment of hesitation, he gave a subtle nod.

With a sigh of relief, the server exclaimed, “Thank the stars you've arrived. This poor lady has been sipping her sorrows away solo for quite a spell now. Be gentle in your disagreements — life's no walk in the park for the fairer sex. It's risky letting your spouse stew in solitude too, nursing her wounds with drinks like this."

Holden gave an awkward nod and turned to assist Ariana, feeling a tad embarrassed by the server's assumptions. As he looked at her slouched across the table, her cheeks flushed and her hair awry, he couldn't help but let out a sigh.

In her inebriated state, Ariana said, "Theodore, you scoundrel. Why haven't you looked for me?"

Hearing her long for her late husband kindled a stifling sensation in Holden's chest. Though he knew he had no claim on her, an irrational pang of jealousy flickered through him.

With care, Holden slipped his arms beneath Ariana's limp body, taking care to avoid the knife wound on her arm. But as he hoisted her up, she weakly resisted.

"Don't touch.. my husband's on his way," she protested, her words slurring together incoherently.

A surge of frustration and protectiveness coursed through Holden, causing him to hold her more firmly against him. He said sternly, “Stay still, or I might drop you!"

At his authoritative tone, Ariana quieted, her body becoming pliant in his arms.

Holden carried her outside, the refreshing night air enveloping them as they left the stifling bar. However, no sooner had they stepped out than he heard soft sobs coming from the woman nestled in his embrace.

Reaching his car and placing her in the passenger seat, Holden glanced down in surprise, gently brushing aside her disheveled hair to reveal tear tracks staining Ariana's delicate cheeks.

Despite his intentions, his heart ached at the sight. He wiped away a stray tear with his thumb and inquired tenderly, “What's troubling you? Why are you crying?"

Pouting, Ariana whimpered, “You. you raised your voice at me."

Taken aback, Holden took a moment to reflect on his harshness.

As her sniffles persisted, he conceded with an apologetic tone, “You're right, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."

At his sincere apology, Ariana's tears momentarily ceased, and she looked up at Holden with watery eyes. But a moment later, fresh tears welled up, and she cried out joyfully, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Theodore! You've finally returned for me!"

Before Holden could react, Ariana buried her face against his chest, her warm tears soaking his shirt.

"I missed you so much," she sobbed.