As the weeks went by, the tension between them grew. Andy's late nights and intense rehearsals left him drained, and Maria's loneliness and concern for their future weighed heavily on her. They began to argue more frequently, their once-carefree days now filled with tension and misunderstandings.

One night, after a particularly heated argument, Andy stormed out of the house, needing some space to clear his head. He walked aimlessly through the quiet streets, his mind racing with frustration and guilt. He knew he was letting Maria down, but he didn't know how to balance his dreams with his responsibilities.

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When he returned home, he found Maria sitting on the porch, her face streaked with tears. He sat down beside her, taking her hand in his.

"I'm sorry," he said softly. "I don't want to fight with you, Maria."

Maria looked at him, her eyes filled with pain. "Andy, I feel like I'm losing you. You're so consumed by this play, and I feel like I don't matter anymore."

Andy felt a lump in his throat, overwhelmed by the depth of her emotions. "You matter more than anything, Maria. I'm just... struggling to find a balance."

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their words hanging between them. Finally, Maria spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just want us to be okay. I want our family to be okay."

Andy nodded, squeezing her hand. "We will be. I promise."