The dorm cottage felt hollower than usual, as Sath finished packing for his internship in Ivory City post graduation. Leah sat on the edge of the bed, silently watching him, her fingers clutching her dress to keep her hands steady.
She had wanted to be at his graduation, to cheer him on as he crossed the stage to receive his degree, but Sath had told her it was a family-only event. Leah felt disappointed as she had secretly hoped to meet his family, to catch a glimpse of the world he came from, but that moment had slipped away.
He closed his suitcase, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. “You’re awfully quiet, firecracker,” he teased, his voice warm. The nickname had stuck after the previous time he teased her with it.
Leah tried to smile, but the lump in her throat was too big
