Ayaan slowly walked toward them.
His small voice broke the tension.
"Mama… why are you fighting?"
Both of them froze.
He looked at Aarav.
"Uncle… why are you shouting?"
Aarav's heart twisted.
He crouched down to Ayaan's level.
"I'm not shouting," he said softly. "I'm just… talking."
Ayaan tilted his head.
"Do you know Mama?"
Aarav looked at Ananya.
Then back at the child.
His voice lowered.
"I used to."
Ayaan smiled innocently.
"Then you should say sorry. Mama says people who care should say sorry."
The words hit Aarav harder than anything.
He looked at Ananya.
"I am sorry," he said.
And this time…
He meant it.
But Ananya's eyes filled with tears.
"Some apologies come too late."