☆

TALIA STRANGE WAS FURIOUS. While she was mad, she still felt guilty too for her emotions. Trying to calm down, Talia had sat at her piano, but the music did not ease her as it always had — not when Talia's mind was stuck on Stephen.

But Talia was relieved that Sienna was at preschool. When her husband returned home, Talia did not know what she would do. As much as loved Stephen — as much as she wanted his hands to be fixed — Talia was angry with him for planning a surgery behind her back. Of course, if Stephen had spoken to Talia, then she would have moved the sun and moon to find a way to fund the surgery to help him. But Stephen had gone without including his wife, spending their money carelessly without a thought of his family.

And when he came home, Talia had to force herself not to crumble.

"You know," Stephen realised.

"Christine called," said Talia. "Asking if there was anything she could do to help."

"Talia, this will work," her husband insisted.

"Doctor West told you to let yourself heal," Talia argued with him, though her voice was quiet with Talia trying to hide how she was feeling. "To not rush into another surgery. How much will this cost us?"

At that, Stephen remained silent.

Talia pressed her lips together, staring down at the keys. With Stephen not working, their money was evaporating quickly. Talia only worked for an orchestra a few nights a week; if Stephen stepped in to help with Sienna, then she could find more work, but the man was so focused on fixing his hands. Of course, though, Talia could not blame him — yet, at what point was it crossing the line?

"I can get my hands back, Talia."

"And what about us?" Talia questioned. 

"What good am I for you both without my work?" Stephen replied.

"You are not doing this for us," said Talia, knowing that it would never be them. "There's more to life than saving lives, Stephen."

"I am nothing without surgery," Stephen told her.

Talia looked over at him, seeing where he stood with his hair starting to curl from where it was getting long, and a stubble coating his chin. His hands rested by his sides, trembling with the scars still thick. Though, Talia caught his gaze, trying to find a glimpse of her husband.

"You are a father," Talia reminded him, voice thick. "You are my husband."

"And you are my wife," Stephen argued. "Why are you not supporting me with this?"

Talia laughed, though there was no humour. She was hysterical — pushed to the breaking point, where she felt like she was walking on eggshells around Stephen. "I am your wife," Talia agreed. "And yet, you decided this without me."

"It's my decision—"

"But it affects us too!" Talia shouted at him. "Our money is running out, Stephen. I can't raise our daughter and work at the same time. You should have spoken to me about this first!"

"If I told you, you would have said no!" Stephen argued back.

"My decision would have been in the best interest of our family," Talia stated, heart breaking with the words as she was not sure if she would have agreed to the surgery or not. "We could have talked. We could have figured out a way to make it work. What if the surgery does not work, Stephen?"

"It will work," Stephen insisted, sinking down in the seat next to his wife with the piano next to them. Long ago, their love had first started at the piano, and now Talia could not say if their marriage would survive or not. "Talia, Darling, this will work and then our life will go back to how it was."

Talia looked over at him, seeing his desperation. "I hope you are right," she told him. "If you've decided this, Stephen, then you can be the one to tell Sienna this time."

On the day of Stephen's surgery, Talia had found a sense of déjà vu as she found herself sitting in her husband's office again, watching the time tick by. On his desk, there were a series of pictures: their wedding day and of Sienna over the years.

Talia stared at the wedding photo, adoring the way her husband had used to hold her with a dazzling smile. Back when Stephen had found a way to split his life between home and the hospital — before the fame and money had kicked in, along with the thrill of achieving the impossible with the surgeries Stephen had done. 

This surgery had cost them more than they should be spending, but Talia was hopeful that it worked for Stephen's sake. Slowly, she was losing her husband; if this did not work, then they would end up hating each other.

Though, it did not work how Stephen had hoped. With the physio that followed, Stephen's hands remained weak and shaky — never to hold a knife again.

At home, Talia watched from a distance as Sienna tried to help. When Sienna was sad, she liked eating ice cream and watching Disney films. Now, Sienna was sharing her ice cream, spinning around in her dress to the music of Frozen in the hope that it might make her dad smile.

The night came with Talia reading a story to her daughter while tucking her into bed. It was rare now that Talia had these moments with Sienna, where her daughter was at preschool during the day and then Talia was working at night.

"Mommy?" Sienna interrupted the story.

"Yes?"

"Will daddy ever be happy again?"

Talia frowned at the question, unknowing how to answer it. "Do you remember when you lost your bunny?"

Remembering, Sienna held her pink bunny closer to her chest, silently nodding her head.

"You were very sad, and no other bunny was the same," said Talia as Sienna listened with hooded eyes. "Well, daddy feels the same about his hands."

"Is that why he keeps trying to fix them?"

"Yes," Talia reached forward, tucking a strand of her daughter's hair behind her ear. "See, when your dad was a doctor, he would do anything to save a person's life, and now he's willing to do anything to save his hands too."

"And then he'll be happy? Sienna asked.

Talia nodded her head, heart aching.

After that, Sienna settled down as she crashed with Talia pressing a kiss on her daughter's head before closing the bedroom door with the star flashlight lighting up the room.

Heading to their bedroom, Talia found Stephen in their ensuite bathroom, trying to shave. The blade shook in his hands as Stephen closed his eyes, becoming impatient as he threw the shaver into the sink with the metal clattering.

"Let me help you," Talia offered.

"I don't need your help," Stephen snapped, eyes opening as his irises landed on his wife in the mirror. Again, Talia could see the fear and anger overshadowing the love that was now buried, causing her chest to tighten.

Instead of saying anything, Talia left her husband alone. Her hands rose, wiping away the tears before she even let them fall.

Stephen followed her, face clear from the shaving foam with the stubble remaining.

"What happened that night?" Stephen demanded.

"I don't know," Talia told him for the hundredth time. "I don't remember."

"Every night, I relive it," said Stephen, traumatised by the crash with Talia knowing as she had been the one to comfort him after his nightmares. "You were dead, Talia...and I couldn't do anything to save you."

Talia remained silent, unknowing what to say — unknowing if she believed him.

"And then, you vanished in a flash of purple," Stephen finished, eyes wide, needing answers for his sake more than for his wife. "How did you do it?"

Talia felt the tears topple down her cheeks again, hating how harshly he spoke to her. "I don't know."

Stephen huffed, shaking his head with Talia wondering if he blamed her for that night. They had both been tiptoeing around that night, ignoring the argument, but also what had happened. This had been bubbling with Stephen now snapping.

"Why are you still here, Talia?" Stephen questioned, still stuck on that night. 

Talia couldn't look at him. "Stephen—"

"You were leaving me," Stephen reminded her, though she didn't need to be told when the divorce papers were buried deep within her drawers. "Now, you are just here out of pity."

Turning, Talia faced him with her eyes echoing her own heart. "It's not pity, Stephen," she told him. "I love you."

But Stephen didn't return the words.

"Just leave, Talia," Stephen decided, the words harsher than he intended. "I don't want you here."

Talia flinched, feeling each word crack deep within her heart. It was Talia's worst fear coming true: she was not loved or wanted — Stephen was abandoning her. Talia felt like she was suffocating, realising that she hated her husband as much as she loved him at that moment.

Seeing her reaction, there was a hint of regret in Stephen's eyes with his face softening, but he had already said the words. An alarm had echoed in Talia's mind, needing to run before she was left. Maybe it was fear and heartbreak — maybe Talia was furious.

So, the next morning, Stephen Strange had woken to find the divorce papers on the kitchen counter with Talia and Sienna gone.

☆

Nicole had taken the two in, finding space for them in her spare room. For the first few days, Talia had been numb, staying strong with her emotions hidden for the sake of Sienna. The child had cried, not understanding what was happening.

"You said daddy would be happy again if he fixed his hands!" Sienna cried.

"I know, Sweetheart," Talia said.

"Does he not want us?" Sienna demanded.

Talia wiped the tears from Sienna's eyes. "Daddy's a little lost at the moment," she tried to explain. "Just because we're not together anymore, doesn't mean you are not going to see your dad, okay? Your daddy still loves you."

Sienna's lip wobbled. "Will you see daddy?"

Talia shook her head, unable to speak the words.

"I miss daddy," Sienna cried.

"I miss him too," whispered Talia.

When Sienna was at preschool, Talia finally broke down with Nicole sitting with her. One look at her friend and Talia had burst into tears, accepting the hug. The separation from Stephen, while he had been in hospital, had been unbearable, but this was so much worse. Already, it felt like a part of her heart was missing.

Years ago, Talia had run from Stephen upon hearing those three words. Talia never stayed with someone longer than a night — yet, Stephen had been different. One date had turned into a few, then a few into an unspoken relationship. The distance after the declaration of love had forced Talia back to him, where either way she knew that Stephen was trapped in her heart. While Stephen had been afraid of the commitment too, he had still proved that he loved her enough to stay.

And now Talia's heart was in pieces.

"I thought he would have chosen us," Talia cried, wiping at her eyes.

"Oh, honey," said Nicole, sympathising. "Stephen's just..."

"Stephen," Talia finished, looking at her friend. "I tried so hard, Nicole."

"I know you did," Nicole smiled sadly.

The summer months had come with the mother and daughter at the local play park. Talia watched as Sienna played on the climbing frame, chatting easily with another child in the park. In a few weeks, Sienna would be five with Talia unknowing if her father would be seeing her.

Thinking about him, Talia's heart ached as she sucked in a deep breath.

A bald woman had sat down next to Talia on the bench, capturing Talia's attention as she turned her head to see the strange robes she wore. Though, Talia's eyes returned to her daughter, watching as she slid down the slide with an innocent giggle.

"I know what happened," the woman announced.

Talia faced the peculiar woman, confused more than anything.

"It is still undecided what path your husband will take," said the woman, earning a puzzled look from Talia. "But, for you, Natalia, it is time."

"Who are you?" Talia demanded.

"I am known as the Ancient One."

Talia laughed, starting to think this was some harsh joke set up by someone — that or Talia had truly lost the plot now.

The crazy woman's hand rose with the air splitting, shattering as Talia stood. Within the cracks, Sienna still played, oblivious to the strange occurrence. The bald woman's hand pulled backwards as Talia closed her eyes, expecting her body to collide with the sudden transparent wall.

Yet, the two passed through it as Talia's eyes opened. They were trapped within the box, seeing through a reflection. Talia ran towards it, hands pressed against the entrapment with fear igniting deep inside her.

"Sienna!" Talia screamed.

But her daughter could not hear her.

They were separated.

Wide-eyed and frantic, Talia's attention returned to the bald woman. "What did you do?"

"This is the mirror dimension," the woman explained as if it made sense. "I brought you here to protect the world, including your daughter, from yourself."

Talia's heartbeat thundered, something sparking inside her. The woman's eyes dropped to her hands, smiling contently. Talia's eyes fell downwards too, irises expanding in shock. From her hands, a purple flare had sparked, the power bursting and crackling, waiting to be used.

As quickly as the magic came, it had vanished, flickering out like a light.

"What..." Talia was speechless.

"You felt threatened," said the woman. "When you are ready for answers, Natalia Strange, then you can find us at 177A Bleecker Street."

"Answers to what?" Talia questioned, more lost than she was afraid now.

"You survived two car crashes when you should have died," the woman reminded her. "Are you not curious to know why?"

Then, her hand rose again with the mirror dimension shrinking, returning them to the normal world again. Panicking, Talia's eyes located her daughter again, finding Sienna still playing happily in the park, oblivious to what had just happened.

But when Talia's head turned to face the bald woman again, she found no one standing next to her. Quickly, Talia's head twisted, eyes falling on every spot as if she might find the woman again, but she was gone.

Talia stared down at her hands again, truly lost for words.

☆

Later that day, Talia was still shaken up by what had happened, wondering if she had imagined the whole thing. But the words had struck Talia: how had she survived two impossible car crashes?

It was overwhelming and terrifying with Talia contemplating what to do. The whole experience could be a cruel trick, leading Talia to something even more sinister.

Right now, though, Talia was returning to her old home, unknowing what she would find. The solicitor wanted Talia to chase the divorce papers, but Talia also loved Stephen enough to care about what was happening with him. If Talia did not check on him, then who would? 

Talia was running, yet Stephen was still like a beacon, calling her home.

There was too much going on right now with Talia's head scrambled.

In front of their front door, Talia paused as she held the key, feeling her breathing hitch. Maybe Talia should just leave — the only reason they should have to talk was for Sienna's sake.

But, of course, Talia was not a coward to turn away now.

Then, taking a deep breath, she let herself into the apartment.

The apartment was bare with their belongings either moved or sold. Outside, the weather was bleak with the rain splattering against the window, highlighting how things had ended between husband and wife. Talia's piano was gone — likely sold with the memories lingering in her mind. And Stephen...

...seeing him, Talia felt her whole world shift again. The man looked detached, broken and angry with Talia spotting the iPad on the floor, along with papers. Hearing Talia enter, his eyes fell on her, just as speechless as she was.

"He won't do it," Talia realised, knowing Stephen had still been pitching for a third operation to fix his hands.

Stephen shook his head, remaining silent.

"Stephen," said Talia, stepping closer to him. "Maybe it's time to stop."

"No, now is exactly the time not to stop," Stephen decided, keeping his hands upright, unknowing how to live with his hands. With his hysteria, Stephen stood, proving to Talia that she did the right thing in removing their daughter from their home. "Because, you see, I'm not getting any better!"

Hearing him raise his voice, Talia felt her chest tighten again, finding it all too painful now.

"Some things just can't be fixed," Talia told him.

Stephen stood, walking towards the window as he looked down on the world around him.

"Life without my work..."

"Is still life," Talia finished, angry that he could not see that. "There are other things that can give your life meaning."

"Yeah, we'll I've lost my hands and now you," Stephen said, bitterly.

Talia's hands curled into fists, trying to hold back her tears. "Sienna still needs you."

"You've taken Sienna from me," Stephen accused, turning to face his wife, words like ice as they cut deep into Talia.

"I protected Sienna from seeing you like this," Talia stated.

"What, too difficult for you?" Stephen questioned, being unnecessarily cruel.

"You are being unfair," Talia accused, so quietly, wanting to be angry, but she was tired. "Have you signed the papers?"

"I won't sign them, Talia," Stephen declared, facing her again with Talia seeing the anger cracking inside him, revealing the heartbroken man. Seeing him like that caused Talia to step forward, where her hands raised as if to reach for him, but she stopped herself.

They were past the breaking point. Leaving was now easier than fixing the broken mess of their marriage.

So, Talia removed her wedding band and engagement ring, hating how her own hands shook now too. Walking forwards, Talia left them on the single table that remained in the home they had once built together. Now, around them, everything had fallen apart.

"Goodbye, Stephen," said Talia, knowing it would be the final time.

And then Talia left with the door closing behind her, not letting Stephen see how much losing him had affected her. Right now, it felt like Talia could not survive without him, but Talia had survived a lot worse. In time, she would come back stronger, never letting her heart come first again. 

But, for Stephen, his eyes had fallen to the rings on the table. His hands trembled, reaching out for them as they struggled to pick up the rings.

Stephen remembered the day he had asked Talia to marry him: it had been their anniversary when he had hired out the restaurant where they had first met. The ring had been hidden in the piano, infuriating Talia, who had believed someone had carelessly broken the piano strings. Hearing her say yes before he had even asked the question, had only proved that Talia was the one for him and that Stephen Strange was so madly in love.

And now Stephen had ruined everything.

Moving away from the rings, Stephen returned to the window with his hand pressing against the glass, feeling his world shatter around him.

More than anything, Stephen wanted his life back.

☆

My heart hurts😭 but Talia's about to thrive all by herself!!

I've also posted my Thor story that will be taking place in the same universe as this story!