THE EMPTY MORNING

The early morning sun filtered through gauzy curtains, casting gentle patterns across the guestroom bedroom wall. Velma stirred awake slowly, stretching her limbs beneath the plush sheets. The warmth beside her was gone. She reached out, fingers brushing nothing but cool fabric. Her brows furrowed as she sat up, brushing her hair away from her face. The spot was empy, she realized she didn't sleep with Daniel last night. She checked his room,the door was slightly ajar but he wasn't there.

She checked the ensuite bathroom. Empty.

Slipping on a robe, she padded down the hallway of their quiet house. The kitchen, living room, and study—all undisturbed. Daniel was nowhere to be found. She glanced at the clock. 7:15 a.m. Maybe he had an early meeting, she reasoned. It wouldn't be the first time. But still, something about this morning felt different.

Shrugging the feeling off, Velma made herself a cup of tea and sat in the breakfast nook. The house was so quiet without him. No humming from the other room. No soft tapping on a laptop. Just her thoughts, and the unsettling stillness.

Her phone buzzed. She picked it up. "Mum" flashed on the screen.

"Hi, Mum," Velma greeted, trying to sound more awake than she felt.

"My baby," her mother's voice sang through the line, warm and full of love. "How's married life treating you?"

Velma hesitated. "Everything's… fine. We're fine."

Her mother chuckled. "You always say that, even when things aren't fine. You sure he's not stressing you?"

"No, no," Velma said, forcing a smile. "Just a lot on his plate. But we're good. Really."

"Alright, love. You know you can always come home for a few days if you need to breathe."

"I know, Mum. Thanks."

They talked a little longer—just everyday things, light topics. Velma hung up feeling a bit more grounded, but the quiet still gnawed at her.

The day passed slowly. She tried reading, cleaning, anything to distract herself. But Daniel never called. Never texted. He didn't return any messages.

By evening, worry began to seep into her chest.

It was nearly 8:00 p.m. when the doorbell rang.

Velma, still barefoot, hurried to the door and opened it. Lucian stood there, his face tight.

"Good evening," he said.

"Lucian? What's wrong?"

He looked at her closely. "Is Daniel here?"

Velma blinked. "What? No. I thought he went to the office. He wasn't here when I woke up."

Lucian exhaled. "He didn't come in today. At all."

A pause stretched between them.

Velma's throat dried. "Then where is he?"

"I don't know," Lucian said, quietly. "That's what I came to find out."

The night air felt heavier now, like the world was holding its breath.

Both of them stood in silence, the unanswered question hanging between them like a shadow.

Where was Daniel?

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