Chapter 35

The massive screen in the movie room cast flickers of light across two silent figures lying on the oversized couch, Mia and Elena.

They were wrapped beneath a shared blanket, legs tangled, neither speaking much. The room was filled with the quiet hum of a romantic drama they had both agreed on without the usual back-and-forth. Popcorn sat forgotten on the center table, another half-empty glass of wine teetered on the edge.

They hadn’t laughed like they usually did, they ...