Junior stirred as the soft glow of morning sunlight seeped through the curtains, painting the room with a warm golden hue. The gentle chirping of birds outside blended with the faint hum of life waking up in the distance. Slowly, he opened his eyes, squinting at the brightness. His hand reached instinctively to the other side of the bed, searching for the familiar warmth that had become a comforting routine.
But the sheets were cool under his touch.
Blinking away the haze of sleep, Junior turned his head. The space beside him was empty, the pillow smooth and unmarked, with no trace of Helen's presence remaining.
"Helen, where are you?" he called out, his voice still heavy with sleep. The quiet that followed seemed to press down on the room, an emptiness that made his chest tighten.
"Maybe she went back to her room," Junior muttered to himself, his tone tinged with doubt.
