CHAPTER SIXTY ONE –OLD HABITS

But there was also laughter, and moments of genuine connection that gave them both hope. Their journey towards reconciliation was not without its challenges. Old habits died hard, and there were days when it seemed easier to fall back into patterns of miscommunication and assumption. One particularly difficult day came when Logan arrived home late from work, having forgotten about a dinner plan they had made. Deonna, who had spent hours preparing a special meal, felt the old feelings of neglect and disappointment rising up. "I can't believe you forgot," she said, her voice tight with hurt. "This was important to me, Logan. I told you about it days ago." Logan's immediate instinct was to become defensive. "I'm sorry, okay? I got caught up at work. It's not like I did it on purpose." Deonna felt her temper flare. "That's always your excuse, isn't it? Work comes first, and I'm just supposed to understand?" For a moment, it seemed they were on the brink of falling back into their old