The silence didn’t fade.
It stayed.
Long after Daniel left.
Long after the moment should have passed.
Lyra felt it everywhere.
In the way the air settled too quietly.
In the way nothing interrupted her thoughts anymore.
In the way something—
Was missing.
She didn’t expect it to feel like this.
She thought choosing—
or even moving toward a choice—
would bring clarity.
But instead—
It brought weight.
“He’s really gone.”
The words slipped out softly, more to herself than anyone else.
But Kael heard.
He was still there.
Not close this time.
Not touching her.
Just… present.
Watching.
Lyra wrapped her arms around herself slightly, her gaze drifting toward the path Daniel had taken.
Empty.
Still empty.
And it hit again.
A sharp, quiet ache in her chest.
“I didn’t think
