The moment Frederic saw Joey, he felt as if something heavy slammed into his chest, leaving him breathless with pain.
The dim streetlight above reflected in his deep eyes, magnifying the sorrow within.
The burning cigarette on his fingers went unnoticed.
His gaze remained fixed on Joey, fearing she would disappear if he blinked.
He longed to ask if she had another nightmare, to hold her in his arms and comfort her.
The more he yearned to do so, the more his heart ached.
He clenched the cigarette butt tightly in his hand, and the piercing pain brought him back to reality.
Then, he took out his phone, intending to send Joey a message to check on her, only to realize that she had blocked all his means of contact.
By the time he looked up again, her figure was gone.
He leaned backward
