Lauren had been quiet for days. She hadn’t smiled. She hadn’t laughed. She couldn't even if she tried.
She hadn’t even argued with Larry, which was a first. She just... existed. Floating through the house like she was a ghost.
It was Thursday afternoon, and the air in the house felt tense—thicker than it had in weeks. Sophie was at her friend's house which was best because Lauren wasn't in her right sense.
It was just Lauren and Larry. He was trying, she could tell. He’d made her coffee that morning, had tried to talk to her about anything and everything just to get her to engage. But Lauren didn’t want to engage. Not today. Not ever again.
“Lauren,” Larry’s voice broke through her thoughts, and she looked up from the kitchen counter where she had been stirring her coffee absently. Hi
