The morning sun streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room as Elena stirred awake. For a moment, she lay there, letting the events of the past few days wash over her. The fear, the uncertainty, the overwhelming relief—all of it seemed like a distant memory now. But as her gaze settled on the empty space beside her, a pang of sadness tugged at her heart.
Alex was gone.
He had left early, as he always did, before the world had a chance to wake up and burden him with its problems. Elena knew that the responsibilities he carried were immense, far greater than anything she could truly understand. But it didn't stop her from worrying, from wondering if he would ever find the peace he so desperately deserved.