ALEXANDER ANTONIO'S Neither of us spoke for a long time. The apartment was dim, lit only by the small lamp beside the couch. Outside, the city had finally started to quiet, distant traffic fading into a soft hum beneath the rain-damp night. Emily stayed in my arms, her head resting against my chest while I held her carefully, one hand spread against her back. I could feel her breathing—slow, tired, fragile. We had moved to the couch, and I knew there was still something sitting heavy inside her chest. Something she hadn’t said yet. Then finally, so quietly I almost missed it, she whispered, “She reminded me of what it would’ve been like.” My entire body went still. My jaw tightened instantly because I knew exactly what she meant. I lowered my head slightly, my cheek brushing her hair, but I didn’t interrupt her.“A little girl running around the house,” Emily continued softly. “Talking too much.” A tear slipped down her cheek. “She would’ve been about that size one day.”The words hi
Last Updated : 2026-05-20 Read more