Chapter 387 : Broken but Hoping

*Lauren*

I blinked the sleep from my eyes, reaching instinctively for warmth, but my hand grazed only cool, empty sheets. Panic fluttered in my chest like a trapped bird as I turned to find Lucas's side of the bed empty. The early morning light filtering through the curtains didn't warm the chill that had nothing to do with the temperature of the room.

"Lucas?" My voice felt small and hollow in the expanse of our bedroom. No answer came, just the echo of my own voice bouncing off the walls. I sat up, clutching the sheets to my chest as if they could shield me from the guilt eating away at my insides.

Moments ticked by, each one heavier than the last. I pushed back the covers and reluctantly swung my legs to the floor. He was gone, and I couldn't shake the feeling that maybe this time it wasn't as simple as it seemed.

He had stayed. But things were not better. Clearly.