[LINA]
I guess . . . life was peaceful now.
Not perfect, no. But quiet. Safe.
Seeing Daniel—even just a few times a week—felt like breathing fresh air after being underwater for too long.
He always arrived a few minutes early for our dates—an annoying habit sometimes—and when I'd open the door, he'd already be grinning like he knew a secret.
Sometimes I'd catch him watching me while I rambled about my day, his lips twitching like he was holding back a laugh.
Other times, we'd meet at a café, and I'd find him already sipping his drink—black coffee, extra strong—humming under his breath while glaring at his half-burnt muffin like it had personally offended him. That was Daniel.
Simple. Steady. Warm.
We didn't argue much—though when we did, it was over silly things. Like who picked the worst movie last weekend, or why he refused to update his ancient phone.
