Abby The morning sun bathes my office in a gentle glow as I dial Leah’s number, eager to discuss Chloe’s upcoming birthday. The phone rings a few times before Leah’s raspy voice picks up on the other end. “Abby? That you?” “Leah, hey,” I greet, trying to hide my concern. “You sound terri
The restaurant, usually abuzz with patrons and staff, feels eerily quiet now, save for the occasional clatter from the kitchen. A framed picture of Chloe and me rests beside my workstation, our grinning faces captured during a sunlit day at a music festival. The warmth and laughter from that day
Abby “You… Want to help?” I’m taken aback. It’s not quite like Karl to willingly offer help, especially in the middle of the night like this. In fact, the very thought of it instantly whisks me back to a memory that was buried in the deep recesses of my mind from when we were married. “Karl
Abby “Alright, paperwork’s done,” Karl declares with an air of finality, piling the last of the filed sheets into a neat stack. The office is a maze of papers, scattered across the desk and floor, but we’ve managed to conquer the monster of bureaucracy. I chuckle, brushing a strand of ha
I blush, nodding. “I remember. You’d spin me around till I was dizzy, and we’d laugh like kids, not caring about anyone watching.” Karl chuckles, his grip tightening around my waist for a brief moment. “There was that one time...” he begins, a mischievous glint in his eyes, “at that club downtow
Abby Sitting in the dimly lit kitchen, the soft clinking of our utensils is a comforting lullaby against the evening's silence. I sneak glances at Karl every now and then, his features illuminated with a gentle glow from the overhead light. He seems lost in his thoughts, enjoying every bite. “
Karl winks at me from across the room. “Efficiency, Abby. I learned from the best.” The list grows, and at some point, Karl comes closer, presumably to look into a nearby cabinet. That’s when I notice the sheen of sweat on his forehead. His dedication to help me, especially after a long day, i
Abby The sun’s barely peeking over the horizon as I pull open the door to the restaurant. I can already feel the hustle of a new day, the potential for a fresh start. Walking in, I expect the familiar comfort of an empty space, but I’m met instead with Ethan’s brooding form. His jaw is set t