The sun peeked through the curtains, painting thin golden stripes across the bedroom floor. Diana stretched lazily, reaching for the empty space beside her.
Mike was already gone.
She blinked, frowning slightly. Lately, he’d been up and out early, even on weekends. Always some excuse—something at work, something urgent, something… distant.
She pushed the thought away. Maybe it was just her overthinking. Maybe it was the stress. Maybe it was just marriage.
Still, when she got up, the air in the room felt heavier somehow.
Downstairs, she found Karen in the kitchen. The girl was humming softly, moving around like she owned the place, wearing—Diana squinted—the pale blue robe Mike had given Diana last year for her birthday.
Her robe.
“Morning, Karen,” Diana said, forcing a polite smile
