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The Quiet War (1)

Author: Loria Malf
last update Last Updated: 2025-05-28 21:32:10

Stephen’s POV

I don’t remember when I started counting how often she laughed without me.

But I remember tonight.

The birthday candles had long since melted into pale wax puddles. The music had dulled to a far-off echo. The air inside the ballroom had felt thick—like honey and smoke and something unsaid.

And then she left.

I saw it from across the room. Her slipping out a side door, posture stiff, chin tilted like she was trying to hold in the breath that refused to come. No one noticed, not really. Except me.

Of course I followed.

Not like a fool. Like a brother. That’s what I told myself, at least.

She was in the gardens when I found her. Half in shadow, leaning against the old stone railing with her eyes closed and her arms tucked around herself. The wind picked at her dress like it was asking her to dance again.

I stopped a few paces away. Let the silence sit between us before breaking it.

“You didn’t even stay for the toast.”

She opened her eyes slowly. “Too many people. Too much
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