Mariam woke up to the early morning light streaming through the curtains, her hand reaching out instinctively for Jack. But instead of finding him beside her, she found an empty space, the sheets already cold. She sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, and noticed the sticky note on the nightstand. With a sinking feeling in her chest, she picked it up and read the words.

"I am off to work, your breakfast has been ordered and it's on the way. Don't wait for me. Will be gone for a day or two ...