The library, the beach, the hill, and the cafe.. they were all just places now, stripped of their magic without Karim by my side.
Each visit was a farewell, a painful goodbye to the life I had known.
On the last day at the office, Sophie, Mia, and Jack surprised me with a small farewell party.
The break room was decorated with streamers and balloons, a cake with "Good Luck Kristen" written in bright icing taking center stage on the table.
Their efforts touched me deeply, and I struggled to keep my emotions in check as we shared stories and laughter.
"You better stay in touch," Sophie said, hugging me tightly.
"Of course," I promised, my voice thick with emotion. "I'll miss you guys so much."
Mia handed me a small gift box. "Just a little something to remember us by," she said, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
