Shattered Silence
The snowstorm had softened into a quiet drizzle by morning, leaving the city coated in a sparkling white crust. Streets were slippery, the air crisp and sharp, but the warmth inside Liam’s apartment made it feel like another world. Emma and Liam had spent the night curled up on the couch, their hands intertwined, hearts beating in unison, savoring the calm after the previous day’s challenges. Yet, as morning light spilled through frost-framed windows, a new unease crept in. Emma’s phone buzzed relentlessly. She frowned at the screen, seeing a string of messages she hadn’t expected. “Emma, are you awake?” It was from her cousin, a man she hadn’t spoken to in months. The messages were urgent, almost panicked, recounting a personal family issue that required her immediate attention. Emma’
- Writer
