Morning arrived quietly.For the first time in what felt like forever, Elaine Carter woke without the sound of explosions, screaming, or a collapsing sky.Instead, sunlight filtered through the curtains of Adrian’s apartment.She lay still for several moments.Waiting.Waiting for reality to crack.Waiting for another timeline to begin.Waiting to wake up again somewhere else.Nothing happened.The silence was real.The peace was real.A smile slowly appeared on her face.Then she noticed the empty side of the bed.“…Adrian?”The smell of freshly brewed coffee drifted into the bedroom.Elaine followed it, wrapping herself in one of Adrian’s oversized sweaters.She found him in the kitchen.Standing barefoot.Reading the morning newspaper.Completely absorbed in it.Elaine leaned against the doorway.“You still read newspapers?”Without looking up, Adrian replied,“I like the sound they make.”She laughed.“You own one of the largest technology companies in the country.”“I know.”“You
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