The café was quiet.
Benjamin looked at Natalie, who kept her head down, not daring to meet their eyes. A sharp ache spread through his chest.
Nine months ago, Natalie had been full of life—radiant, carefree, always smiling. She had leaned into Ryan's embrace, her eyes filled with hope for the future.
But now, in less than a year, she looked like a withering plant in the dead of winter—drained, fragile, completely lifeless.
Emma, always the straightforward one, asked, "We grew up together. You got married, and you didn't even tell us?"
Under the table, Natalie's fingers clenched tightly. She forced herself to meet Emma's gaze.
Taking a sip of her coffee, she finally spoke, "We didn't have a wedding but just signed the papers. We're doing fine. The rumors out there are nothing but goss
