*Lauren*
The morning sun barely crept through the curtains, casting a soft glow on Lucas's tanned face as he slept. I watched the steady rise and fall of his chest for a moment longer, the tension from the past two weeks coiling tighter in my gut. He mumbled something incoherent in his sleep, and I quietly slipped out of bed, careful not to wake him.
"Lauren?" His voice was groggy, laced with the remnants of dreams.
"Go back to sleep," I whispered, trying to keep my voice light. "I've got an early meeting."
"Everything okay?" Concern pinched his voice, reminding me of the crack that had formed between us—one filled with secrets and unspoken fears.
"Everything's fine," I lied, smoothing the sheets around him. The guilt gnawed at me, persistent and sharp but I pushed it down as much as I could. With a small kiss on his forehead, I left the room.
