The sunlight peeked through the blinds of the apartment, brushing against Katherine's eyelids like a soft nudge to wake. She opened her eyes slowly, the warmth of the sun doing nothing to ease the heaviness in her chest. For a few seconds, she just lay there, staring at the ceiling. Then she sighed, forced herself up, and slid her feet into her slippers.
There was no time to dwell—not with two energetic kids to get ready and a day ahead.
She moved around the apartment quietly, starting with preparing breakfast. The clatter of pans and the aroma of butter sizzling on the skillet filled the air, bringing some illusion of normalcy. Maya and Nathan soon joined her, their laughter echoing softly as they playfully teased each other while brushing their teeth in tandem.
Katherine found herself smiling at them, though her hands moved slower than usual. Her thoughts weren't in the kitchen.
Felix.
He didn't come last night.
