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A cold wind whipped through the narrow alley where Noah leaned heavily against the brick wall, his breaths coming in shallow, painful gasps.
The bitter taste of Dr. Pontus's meds stuck to his tongue. They made him feel alive for a while, but everyone knew they were slowly killing him.
He hadn't texted Silvia in days. Every time his thumb hovered over her name, he pictured that damn billboard—her smile, her perfect little family. Not his place. Not anymore.
Still, he showed up outside Paper Moon Coffee.
She came here most mornings. It wasn't stalking. Not really. He just needed to see her.
Long enough to remind himself she was real. Long enough to survive the next hit of pain.
The café door swung open, and there she was.
Silvia stepped out, Orion 's small ha
