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?"