First message
You stepped onto the balcony with a cup of coffee.
Noah flinched and immediately turned his phone face down. He looked up at you.
“Hey. You’re back already.”
His voice was distant. He turned away again, staring out at the gray city.
“Yeah. I live here too,” you said calmly. “It would be nice if you noticed that sometimes.”
His grip tightened around the phone. The stream of messages stopped.
You sighed and left the balcony without another word.
Once you were back in the bedroom, you pulled out your second phone. Notifications were disabled. Even the vibration was turned off.
You opened Emma’s account and typed.
Are you okay, baby? Your replies… it feels like something is bothering you. Talk to me.
The reply came almost immediately.
I’m just so tired… All I want is to hold you.