Morning arrived quietly.
For the first time in days, Seraphina did not wake up with tears already burning behind her eyes.
The heaviness was still there. The pain was still there.
But somehow, Emily's presence had softened the sharp edges of it all. The apartment no longer felt unbearably empty.
At least not completely.
Seraphina stood in the kitchen wearing one of her oversized sweaters while watching Emily shove random things into her handbag dramatically.
"You pack like you're escaping a crime scene," Seraphina muttered softly.
Emily glanced up instantly.
"Oh? So the lady who cried herself to sleep two nights ago suddenly has jokes now?"
Seraphina rolled her eyes weakly, though the corner of her lips twitched slightly.
Emily noticed it immediately.
And her expression softened for just a second before she covered it up again with her usual dramatic attitude.
"Good," she declared, pointing at Seraphina. "That's exactly what I wanted to see."
