CLAIRE

I woke up before my alarm and for a few seconds, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, not moving, not thinking. Then I heard a faint sound from the kitchen, cabinets opening, the low hum of the coffee machine. Julian.

The word settled in my chest slowly, like it needed a second to make sense, he was back. I pushed the covers off and sat up, running a hand through my hair. The room felt the same, nothing had changed, and yet…

I swung my legs off the bed and stood, grabbing a light sweater before stepping out into the hallway, the smell of coffee hit me...