I wasn't expecting the knock.

It came sharp, urgent - the kind of knock that carried more than sound. It carried desperation.

For a second, I just froze. My heart started racing before my mind caught up. It couldn't be him. No. Not after all the messages I ignored. Not after I made up my mind to move on.

But then came the second knock. Louder. More impatient.

And something inside me just knew.

I crossed the room slowly, every step heavy, as if the air itself was warning me to stop. My ...