Seventy-Seven

Waking up to an empty bed felt like waking up in a world without color. The sheets were cold, a stark contrast to the warmth that Lilith used to bring. I reached out, hoping to feel her soft touch, but my fingers only met the chill of the fabric. It sucked, honestly. I wanted to call out to her, to tell her to come back, but I knew better. Instead, I opted for a cold shower, hoping it would wash away the ache in my chest.

The water hit me like a ton of bricks, waking me up fully. With each drop, I tried to push away the memories of her, of us. I needed to be strong, to focus on anything but her. So, I dressed quickly, trying to ignore the space around me, and headed downstairs.

Tony was waiting for me, his face a mix of worry and professionalism. I nodded at him, trying to pretend like everything was normal. "Morning, Tony," I said, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. "Any updates on security?"

He launched into a report, but I could hardly focus. Lilith's absence hung