The following morning, Patricia woke up alone.
The silence in the room felt heavier than usual, almost suffocating. Her eyes scanned the space, hoping Roman was back but there was still no sign of him. Where could he be?
A knot twisted in her stomach. She hadn't seen anyone aside from Kay, who came in briefly to give her quiet updates. No Roman. No Zara. No answers.
She wanted to call Zara, to hear her voice and maybe find comfort, but Silas had told her about the state her friend was in. Just hearing the pain in his voice when he described it had made her chest tighten. Zara had always been the one to show up, always carrying Patricia's burdens like they were her own. Now, her world had collapsed, and Patricia refused to be a selfish friend. Not now.
If it hadn't been for Silas's firm insistence that she stay put, she would have already been out there, searching for Zara.
Her thoughts were interrupted when the door creaked open.
