Meryl's POV
Time had become meaningless as I lay curled on the hotel bed, my body still trembling from the emotional storm that had torn through me. The tears had finally dried, but the hollow ache in my chest remained, a constant reminder of everything that had shattered today.
Andre remained beside me, his fingertips tracing gentle patterns along my arm. He offered comfort through touch rather than words, somehow understanding that silence was what I needed most.
"When did you last eat something?" His voice was soft, careful.
I turned my head slightly, still unable to meet his eyes directly. A small shake of my head was all I could manage.
"Are you hungry?" he pressed gently, his concern evident in every syllable.
This time I nodded, though my body craved something entirely different from what he was suggesting. The hunger gnawing at me had nothing to do with food and everything to do with the man sitting beside me.
