The moon hung low in the night sky, its silvery glow filtering through the billowing curtains of our room. Its luminance should have brought tranquility, a stark contrast to the turmoil within my heart. But it didn’t. I was curled up on the edge of the bed, hugging my knees to my chest, lost in a whirlwind of emotions. The gentle lapping of the waves from the cliffside below offered no solace. My cheeks felt damp, tears spilling over, my vision blurred by the brimming sorrow. Lost in my own melancholy, I hadn’t noticed the soft shuffle of footsteps until a warm hand landed gently on my shoulder. Startled, I looked up to find Luke’s concerned gaze locked onto mine. The lamplight from the hallway cast a dim, golden hue on his features, accentuating the deep worry lines etched on

