In the morning, Léa was awakened by a voice she hadn't heard in a long time: Thomas's, joyful, almost euphoric.He was on the balcony, phone to his ear, laughing, exclaiming, speaking quickly, animated.She lay still for a moment, frozen, eyes open, listening without moving. She no longer heard that laughter from him.And certainly not with her.She slowly got up, crossed the bedroom in calculated silence, and headed to the bathroom. The cold water from the tap jolted her back to reality, like an electric shock. She looked at herself in the mirror, observing the traces of a restless night, her swollen, dark-circled eyes. She tidied her hair a bit, quickly tied it in a ponytail, then stepped out.Thomas was still on the phone.Still as cheerful.Still as absent.She did not try to interrupt him. He wouldn’t have noticed her.She entered the kitchen, made herself a tea, slowly, mechanically. She took a sip, then headed to the sofa, settling in with the morning newspaper.Thomas walked i
Last Updated : 2025-07-18 Read more