THE LOVE WE LOST

The soft hum of the alarm clock broke the silence of the small apartment, followed almost immediately by a little voice. “Mama, the sun is up!” Elena groaned into her pillow, already smiling. Even before she opened her eyes, she could picture her daughter—Lily—with her tangled curls sticking out in every direction and those bright brown eyes that never seemed to dim. Elena sat up and turned to see the little girl standing proudly at the side of the bed, wearing mismatched socks and holding her favorite stuffed bunny. “Lily,” Elena said, reaching out to pull her into an embrace, “don’t you think it’s too early to be this happy?” Lily giggled, snuggling into her mother’s arms. “It’s never too early for pancakes.” Elena laughed. “Ah, so that’s why you’re up. Pancakes are your alarm clock, not the sun.” Together, they made their way into the tiny kitchen. The apartment wasn’t much—just two bedrooms and a living space that served as dining and lounge—but Elena had filled it with warmth. Bright curtains, secondhand furniture she had repainted, and walls dotted with Lily’s crayon masterpieces gave it life. While mixing the batter, Elena caught her daughter humming a tune and spinning around in the middle of the kitchen, her bunny in tow. “Careful,” Elena warned with mock sternness. “I don’t want pancake batter on that dress.” “But it’s a pretty day!” Lily twirled again, her little voice ringing with joy. And just like that, Elena’s heart softened. Four years ago, when she had found herself staring at a tiny pink line on a pregnancy test, fear had nearly swallowed her whole. But now, as she watched her daughter dance in the morning sunlight, she realized Lily had become her entire world—the one reason she pushed through everything. By the time breakfast was done, Elena had dressed for work. She was a junior graphic designer at a local firm, and though the pay barely stretched enough for bills and daycare, she held on because it gave her stability. --- At daycare drop-off, Elena bent to kiss Lily’s cheek. “Be good, okay?” “I’ll be the best,” Lily promised, skipping toward her friends. As Elena turned to leave, a familiar voice called out. “Elena!” She turned to see Mia, her best friend since college, rushing up with her usual wide grin. Unlike Elena, who was soft-spoken and careful with her words, Mia was bold, vibrant, and often too loud—but she was also Elena’s anchor. “You look tired,” Mia teased, eyeing her. “Don’t tell me Lily woke you up with her pancake obsession again.” Elena laughed, shaking her head. “When doesn’t she?” “Well, you need a break. Tonight, we’re going out. No excuses.” “I can’t—” Elena started. “You can,” Mia cut in, linking arms with her. “I’ll even bribe you with ice cream after work. Come on, live a little. You deserve to breathe, Elena.” Elena sighed but smiled. Mia had always been like this—dragging her into life when she felt like hiding. And deep down, Elena was grateful. --- Work passed in a blur of deadlines and endless meetings. By the time evening came, Elena found herself sitting across from Mia in a cozy café, sipping iced coffee. “So,” Mia said suddenly, leaning forward, “I heard something today. Guess who’s back in town?” Elena froze, her fingers tightening around the glass. Mia noticed instantly. “You okay?” Elena forced a smile. “Yeah… I’m fine. Who is it?” Mia hesitated, then lowered her voice. “Adrian. The Adrian. Remember him?” Elena’s chest tightened, her mind pulling her back to a past she had carefully buried—the nights of laughter, the promises whispered in the dark, and then…the heartbreak. She swallowed hard and placed her glass down. “That was a long time ago,” she said, her tone steady though her heart raced. Mia’s gaze softened. “Elena, you don’t have to pretend with me. I know what he meant to you.” Elena forced a small laugh, hoping to change the subject. But as she stared out of the café window at the bustling street, a thought crept into her mind, uninvited and persistent: What if he found out about Lily? --- ✨ End of Chapter One ✨