Between the lines of love

days still clinging to my body like a heavy blanket. My mind was still clouded with thoughts of Nathan, the brea

partment was quiet-just me and my thoughts. I hadn't even bothered to change the bedsheets yet, as mu

phone buzzed on the kitc

th Nathan, hearing their voices would either help or make thing

rying to sound upbeat, t

arm voice came through. "H

t the counter. "I'm okay

. I know. But I want you to know we're here for you. Your dad'

ckground, gruff and straightforward as always. "She'll

't expected them to be so blunt, b

tly, feeling a little lighter.

ul, Evelyn. You deserve so much better.

. It was comforting knowing my parents were in

Mom. Thanks

. Take care of yourself,

a little stronger. Their su

-

made me feel put together-nothing too flashy, but enough to give me that tiny boost of confidence. A navy blazer, black slacks, and a white blous

ocus on the tasks at hand. It wasn't easy. Every time my phone buzzed with a notification, my heart skipped a beat, only to fall back down whe

ely

he voice of my coworker, Emma. She was standing in th

ied, trying to

have a new client for the presentation today. His name is Lucas

in my chair. "Got it. Th

ing in the conference r

eting itself-just another client, just another project. I had dealt with many of them before. But som

-

harpness of his features matched his professional appearance. His posture was straight, confident, but not too intimidating. He looked like someone who took

oduced, giving me a polite smile b

a brief, polite smile. "N

ed, offering my own smile a

around marketing strategies, timelines, and deliverables-nothing personal. We talked about

gs and gave a nod toward me. "Thank you, Evelyn.

ple nod. "Lookin

-

e of Nathan's old things-gifts, photographs, mementos of a time I was trying to forget. Each item f

a necklace, a few postcards, even a birthday card. My fingers brushed over the necklace,

ot an

ingle thing he had given me, every memory tied to him, was gone. I didn't want to

can. It felt like a cathartic release, but the em

lders shook with sobs as I knelt down beside the trash can, my hands clutching my chest. I m

and when I stood up, I felt... better. Not completely healed, not by a lon

maybe, I w

-

ath and stared at myself in the mirror. Today would be d

e house, I couldn't shake the feelin

ure what that