The night slipped away swiftly for Ziana, yet her dreams clung to her like tendrils of bittersweet memory. In her sleep, she felt the warmth of her father's smile, a longing she had carried for years. It briefly soothed her heart, only to be shattered by the harsh reality upon waking. The pain of knowing she could never embrace him again settled like a heavy stone in her chest. A sigh escaped her lips, an unspoken echo of her grief, catching Lilith's attention as she emerged from the bathroom.
"Morning," Ziana greeted with a faint smile, attempting to mask the melancholy beneath her eyes. Lilith, sensing her friend's emotions, crawled onto the bed and enveloped her in a warm hug.
"Did you sleep well?" Lilith inquired gently, offering comfort through her presence.
