HE LOVES ME IN SECRET, HE GAVE ME THE WORLD

nd sheer, danced slightly in the faint breeze that drifted through the open window, carrying with it the fresh scent of dewy grass and distant flowers. The a

touched her skin like a tender caress, and for a few blissful seconds, she stayed completely still-feeling the beat of her heart, listening to the quiet of the world outside, and s

thin her chest, a thought came rushing in-br

pable. The memory of him-the way his words lingered in her mind like the sweetest melody, the kindness in his messages, the way he had made

oward the promise of something beautiful. She rolled onto her side, her hand reaching instinctively for her phone on the small bedside table. The coolness

er face. Without hesitation, she opened the app where she and Raymond had shared their late-night convers

pt... maybe he thought of me

rs, waiting in the empty space for his reply. No new messag

it aside almost at once. Maybe he hadn't seen it yet. Maybe he was still asleep. Maybe he had an early meeting or got caught up with something. The reasons lined up in her mind

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, trembling slightly-not from fear, but from the rush of wanting

pe, her words soft and

e for work, so I said I should message before I get prepared. Have a nice da

much. She wanted him to feel seen, to feel remembered. When she was satisfied, she pressed send. The sma

clutched the phone to her chest, feeling its comforting weight against her heart. For a moment, she closed her eyes, lettin

energy to stay in bed any longer. With a newfound determination, she sat up, pushed the blanket back, and swun

, her voice ringing with a cheerfuln

ated back, slightly muffled but warm.

called back, unable to ke

pale countertops, the worn but beloved kettle, the small vase of artificial sunflowers Sonia had insisted on keeping by the win

n the counter with purpose, rolling up the sleeves of her oversized T-shirt. She was going to cook no

ing. The hum rose and fell in time with the gentle scrape of the whisk, blending with the sizzle of butter hitting the hot

music, swaying slightly as she flipped the bread or stirred the eggs. Her feet tapped lightly on the tiled floor, her hips

heese melted into the eggs. The crispness of the bread as it browned perfectly. The g

ing about the kitchen like someone who had just fallen in love. Her hair was slightly tousled, her cheeks pink

e doorway, her curiosity piqued. "You're in su

plate on the table-a perfect arrangement of eggs, toast, and a few slices of fresh tomato

, her voice warm, her sinceri

Thank you," she said quietly, her voice laced with wonder. She pulled back

o finish her own plate. She didn't need to say it. Sonia could see it-feel it.

diant, and whatever had brought on that radiance, Sonia hoped it would last. She took a bite of the foo

er eyes flicked toward it now and then, full of quiet hope. Every small vibration, every notification made her heart skip j

ght, the shared meal, the sweetness of hope t