Eric's POV

It had been a year since I returned to the familiar streets of Canada, and yet, Stephen's absence continued to haunt me. Memories of our shared experiences flooded my mind as I passed by landmarks that seemed similar to the ones back in the Philippines. The ache in my heart remained as potent as ever, refusing to relinquish its hold on me. Without him by my side, life seemed devoid of meaning and filled with emptiness.

Each morning, I would awaken with thoughts of ...