at whispered of new beginnings, but all she felt was the cold absence beside her. Ryan's side of the bed was empty, the sheets untouched, no si

as her b

wishes, surprise plans, and quiet moments of closeness. But as the sec

nd with trembling fingers, heart pounding

hin

f willing a message into existence. Bu

ed over her. Was this happening?

e simply chosen

g the tired woman reflected. Sharp cheekbones, dark circles beneath eyes that had

trying to wash away the doubt. Her p

g with a flicker of hope. But the me

na. Hope you get a mo

small beacon, but it only h

ks, and no cards were passed around for signatures. The sterile conference room

t of invisibility pr

sly with a small box wra

aid softly, setting the

g beneath the weight of reality. She peeled back the paper car

nder that so

day, the silence fro

ache beneath spreadsheets and conference calls, but every b

ed up on her screen-from an unknown n

clue who h

s this someone reaching out in sympa

next day, Liana's world tilted again. During a rushed

ime, a

y, his arm casually draped around her shoulders. They looked happy, and comfortable in a

plans-they all came flooding back like broken shards. That night, Liana sa

e nights she'd waited alone, heart poundi

. The little lies she'd excused, convincing herself they were harmless. But now, the truth was und

dy despite the pou

. Why didn't you call?"

said. "Work got hectic.

repeated bitterly. "But y

aid quietly. "Can

d. "I don't know if I c

She closed her eyes, torn between the l

ried to explain, to bridge the growing gap, but his excuses felt hollow. Liana found herself building

defend the unseen wounds or

dinner-a rare break from the rele

e and shared laught

myself believe he was di

he table, her hand warm on Liana's. "You deserve som

e to stop waiting for what never comes." Back home, Liana pre

t this time, Liana smiled. She was beginning to remember herself-the woman strong enough to walk away, sma

again let hers