When the Quiet Found Her Heart

but the ache d

long after the office lights dimmed, and filled every spare moment with productivity. Busy meant safe. Busy meant she didn't

f she had done

otection. For h

timing, and memory was not some

, people laughing, life insisting on itself-while inside her, everything slowed to a suffocating stillness. At wor

n, she

y familiar street triggered a memory. Every passing couple felt like an accusation. She tried to b

exhaustion o

ng with shame and longing. She hadn't called. She hadn't warned him. She didn't ev

everal minutes, debat

oor o

urprise flickering across his face befo

osure sh

ht," she whispered, voice break

ag dropped

er. She collapsed against him, sobs tearing free with a violence she could no l

ding her tightly but gently. "Yo

in a long time, she l