Chapter IX: Birthday

As Marco had promised, he had come a week after having moved to the estate.

Entering their shared apartment, he had let out a surprised sound to be tackled in a hug by Sofia, who held onto him for dear life and buried her face into the crook of his neck. Not her proudest moment, she had to admit, but it was exactly what Marco had needed when he held her just as tightly.

They had sat on the sofa and Marco had explained the situation as best as he could without endangering her life.  

But all that had been over a year ago.

Sofia hadn’t seen him over the last year, and the only assurance she had of his wellbeing was their short text messages. Her question of “Alive?” being responded by his “living”.

It made her embarrassed to know that she missed him over the course