Caspian

That morning, Dolly's incessant chatter delayed me more than I had anticipated. Her excitement about being back was endearing, but I was eager to escape the confines of our conversation and immerse myself in work.

Upon arriving at the office, I dove into tasks. With Clara and Marcel gone, I'd hired a new personal assistant to help navigate the chaos. She was efficient, and her presence brought a semblance of normalcy.

As evening approached, the familiar ache returned. Then, I decided to visit my usual bar.

I had barely stepped into the bar when I saw him — Marcel.

He was sitting alone at the counter, a glass in...