Morning light spilled across Eliana's phone screen.
A new message blinked: Eliana, please. Think it over. I know I hurt you, but I want to make things right.
It was from Elliot. Her brother.
She sighed and glanced at the empty space where Nicky used to sleep beside her. Back then she would kiss him until he stirred awake, but now he was always gone before she even rose from bed.
She sat at the edge of her bed, staring at the words until they blurred. Part of her wanted to throw the phone across the room.
Another part felt… tired.
She went to the kitchen and, as always, Nicky had prepared her a breakfast. There were no notes this time, just a perfectly arranged meal that felt like a stranger had prepared it.
Elliot's message pressed into her chest like a stone. Maybe people could change. Maybe not.
But the thought lingered stubbornly in her mind: if he was trying to mend things, could she try too? Not with him but maybe with Nicky.
