The early morning breeze swept through the quiet streets as dawn slowly painted the horizon gold.
It had become a routine neither Riley Styles nor Stephanie Rogers had anticipated becoming so important.
Morning jogs.
A simple activity that had somehow transformed into one of the favorite parts of their day.
---
Only today...
Something felt different.
Stephanie was quieter.
Much quieter.
Usually, she'd comment on the weather.
Ask Riley random questions.
Tease him for maintaining the exact same jogging pace every single morning.
Or simply tell him stories about her day.
Today...
She barely spoke.
---
Riley glanced sideways.
Stephanie continued jogging beside him.
Her pace had improved significantly since they had first started.
She no longer struggled to keep up.
Her breathing remained controlled.
Steady.
But her mind seemed elsewhere.
"...You're improving."
Riley eventually said.
Stephanie blinked, almost as though she had forgotten he was beside her.
