Even though the flight back to LA had been smooth, my body felt like it was carrying the weight of another world.

The moment Jason’s car pulled away, I just stood there at my door, keys in hand, staring at the knob like I was afraid of what would be on the other side.

Inside, the silence felt both familiar and foreign. My shoes echoed softly on the hardwood as I walked through the apartment, my eyes scanning every corner like it might suddenly look different.

It didn’t.

I dropped my ...