Morning sunlight spilled across the hotel room carpet, soft and golden. Adam sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the half-packed suitcase. The silence in the room felt like a cage. He hadn’t slept all night. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Emily’s face, pale, trembling, trapped.
He had promised her he’d come back. But the paper still sat on the table, reminding him of the truth. He was being sent away.
A knock came at the door. Three soft taps. His heart jumped. He opened it slowly and there she was. Emily.
She wore a plain cream dress, her hair loose and messy, her eyes shadowed from crying. For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then she stepped inside. “You’re leaving.”
Adam nodded, his throat tight. “He gave me no choice.”
Emily looked
