Darius noticed the change before Amara did.
She answered messages slower. Her laughter came late. Her eyes carried a weight she refused to name. When he asked if something was wrong, she smiled and said she was tired.
He believed her—because love makes believers of us all.
But at night, when she lay beside him, Amara counted her breaths and memorized his warmth, knowing she would soon be asked to betray it.