Chapter 35

The massive screen in the movie room cast flickers of light across two silent figures lying on the oversized couch, Mia and Elena.

They were wrapped beneath a shared blanket, legs tangled, neither speaking much. The room was filled with the quiet hum of a romantic drama they had both agreed on without the usual back-and-forth. Popcorn sat forgotten on the center table, another half-empty glass of wine teetered on the edge.

They hadn’t laughed like they usually did, they hadn’t even argued over movie choices. Because the absence of two specific men weighed more heavily than either wanted to admit.

Then, the sound of the movie room...