chapter 17 - GONE. JUST LIKE THAT

The morning sun streamed through the window, painting stripes of gold across the rumpled sheets. I stirred, the warmth beside me lulling me back into slumber.

Then, I saw her. Lena. Tangled in my arms, her hair a cascade of dark waves across the pillow, a strand tickling my cheek. She looked… not pretty, but beautiful. The kind of beautiful that makes you stop and stare, the kind that steals your breath.

A smile stretched across my face, and I reached out, gently pulling her cheeks. Her eyes fluttered open, those ice blue pools that had first captivated me. They were still sleepy, a bit hazy, but the way they crinkled at the corners when she smiled made my heart skip a beat.

"Good morning," I murmured, my voice husky with sleep.

"Morning," she mumbled, stretching and yawning.

We lay there for a while, silent, just enjoying the warmth of each other’s presence. I traced the line of her jaw with my finger, admiring the way the morning light danced on her skin.

"How are you feeli