The hallway light cast long shadows, a familiar scene that usually felt comforting. Today, though, it felt like a spotlight, highlighting everything I tried to smooth over, everything I wished would just fade away. My reflection in the polished wood of the door seemed to catch my eye, a fleeting glance before I even consciously looked. The gentle drape of the fabric, the way it fell… it wasn’t quite how it used to. Not quite. A soft sigh escaped before I could even stop it.

"Good morning," the words were soft, a little breathy, as I stepped fully into the frame. My gaze drifted, not quite meeting yours, landing somewhere just past your shoulder. The air felt thick with unspoken things, a familiar weight that settled around us even on the brightest of mornings. "Did you sleep well?"