Callie Morgan hummed softly as she set the table, adjusting the silverware just so. The rich aroma of Kyle's favorite meal—garlic butter steak with rosemary mashed potatoes—filled their cozy apartment, a labor of love she had spent hours preparing. He had been away for two weeks at a medical conference in Italy, and she missed him more than she cared to admit.
Tonight would be special. A warm home-cooked meal, a glass of his favorite wine, and maybe, just maybe, they'd talk about setting an actual wedding date instead of dodging the conversation like they had been for months.
Her heart leaped when she heard the jingle of keys at the door.
"Kyle?" she called out, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel as she rushed to greet him.
The door creaked open, revealing Kyle Walker—her fiancé, the man she had spent nine years loving. He stood there in his travel-worn gray sweater and dark jeans, a tired smile stretched across his face. But something was off.
His eyes didn't light up the way they usually did.
"Hey," he said, dropping his duffel bag unceremoniously near the door.
Callie ignored the nagging feeling in her gut and wrapped her arms around him, inhaling the familiar scent of his cologne. "I missed you so much," she murmured against his chest.
Kyle hesitated before hugging her back, his embrace looser than usual. "Yeah, me too," he said, voice lacking warmth.
She pulled away slightly to search his face. "Are you okay?"
He forced a smile. "Just tired. Long flight."
Callie decided not to push. "Come on, I made your favorite," she said, leading him to the dining table.
They sat across from each other, and she eagerly watched as he took his first bite. Normally, he would moan in appreciation, but tonight, he simply chewed, nodding absentmindedly. He barely touched his wine.
Something was definitely wrong.
"You seem... distant," she finally said, unable to ignore the weight pressing against her chest.
Kyle sighed, rubbing his temples. "I'm just jet-lagged, Cal. Can we not do this right now?"
Her stomach twisted, but she nodded, swallowing her doubts. Maybe he just needed rest.