Ryan's POV
The house had been unusually quiet for days, and it was starting to get to me. I hadn't seen Elizabeth since that day we fought. She'd stormed out, angry as usual, and I just assumed she needed some space. She always came back, even if it took her a while. But this time, something felt off.
I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling that had been gnawing at me. Elizabeth could be dramatic, but she wasn't irresponsible. She wouldn't just disappear without a word, right?
But it had been days.
"Dad?" I called out, pushing the covers off and heading toward the dining room. My footsteps felt heavy, like I was dragging an invisible weight behind me. The house had this oppressive silence to it, and the knot in my stomach tightened with ev
