The view from Cassie's balcony stretched endlessly before her, an open canvas of skyline and sea, bathed in the soft glow of late afternoon.
The wind brushed her hair gently, whispering through the railings like it was trying to soothe her. It was the kind of view she could stare at all day, imagining how the city lights would gleam at night, like constellations brought down to earth.
Everything about this place should have felt perfect, except for the empty ache tugging at her chest.
She only truly missed one thing, her daughter, Rose. Cassie never thought being away from her daughter would feel like someone had carved a hollow in her heart.
Rose had made her own choice, choosing to live with her father and his mistress. Cassie told herself not to hold it against the child.
