*Lauren*

I blinked the sleep from my eyes, reaching instinctively for warmth, but my hand grazed only cool, empty sheets. Panic fluttered in my chest like a trapped bird as I turned to find Lucas's side of the bed empty. The early morning light filtering through the curtains didn't warm the chill that had nothing to do with the temperature of the room.

"Lucas?" My voice felt small and hollow in the expanse of our bedroom. No answer came, just the echo of my own voice bouncing ...