tle ray of sunlight streamed through the curtains. A contented smile grace

g but empty space. Confusion clouded his features as he searched the bed, hoping she had merely shi

pang of longing surged through

gone back to t

dge of the bed and rose to his feet. He slid in

foot of the staircase. The look on h

's g

to stop her but sh

ia. I know wher

swirled within him-sadness, long

er," he assu

ed as the phone rang but she did not answer. The sound of the ringing echoed in hi

hat to say, the weight of his emotions stifling his words. Finally, he mustered th

king you or why you felt you had to leave, but I want you to know that the moments we shared were real and meani

feeling a mix of

him to make the effort to find her. He had her full name and her busin

r her? The fear of rejection battl

ng whether to return his call or send him a message. she dialed

eternity as she anxiously waited for him t

th a mixture of surprise and