ett

he quiet reverence, the hushed voices, the way everyone looked so fragile. I was just here for a follow-up, a quick check-up my agent insist

h. "Filming underway! Please keep clear!" someone barked. I rolled my eyes. Of course. Even hospitals wer

ut I knew that silhouette. The way her hair, now a lighter auburn, fell just pas

turned.

atly wrapped bouquet of flowers. I remembered her telling me, months ago, after our last fight, that she'd sold her shop in LA. She was moving to Po

"casual PR photoshoot" after my check-up, nudg

shadow, fleeting but definite, crossed her face. I remembered mentioning a new project, a medical drama

egret? No. Not regret. Just... surprise. She was

alked out of our apartment after our final fight. My heart hammered. I had to ta

rs stiffening, but she didn' t turn around. She just kept walking, her back ramr

Jarrett, I had no idea she was here! Is she... here to check up on you? To make sure I' m not getting too close t

e's... not here for that." I knew Alayna. She woul

eing you move on, working with someone new. I mean, you know how these civilian girlfriends get. So clingy, so insecure." She tugged on my ar

so prone to overthinking. This was just another one of her "episodes

zzed. A single, stark

Jarrett. Don

tomach. Over? That was ridiculous. She was just being dramatic. She was just trying to get my attention. Sh

ng games. I knew her. This was just a pha

ran through me. Her face, so calm, so distant. Her eyes, so em

ad truly lost her? The thought was like a punch to the gut. The silence between us, the lack of her usual incessant

so defiantly free. Her silence wasn't a punishment. It was simp

, usually so guarded, felt a sudden, inexplicable stab of dread. This wasn't a game. This was rea