[Rachel's POV]
After a while of just getting by, pretending everything was okay, my days continued without Gabriel's presence. I put on a show, using humor to hide the hurt that gnawed at me deep inside. When my friend Sarah decided to head out for some shopping that morning, I saw a chance to breathe. I needed a moment to myself, to make sense of the emotional whirlwind that had taken over my life.
As the door closed behind her, the apartment felt both quieter and emptier. But just when I thought I could finally be alone with my thoughts, my phone buzzed. Gabriel's name lit up the screen, and I felt a mixture of surprise and trepidation. After a moment's hesitation, I answered.
"Hello?" I said, my voice cautious. The brief silence that followed was palpable, like we were both holding o
