When Silence Replaced Us

I knew something was wrong not because we fought, but because we didn’t. The silence crept

in slowly—her messages grew shorter, her smile no longer reached her eyes, and the warmth she

once carried faded into politeness. Emma was still beside me, still asking about

my day, still lying next to me at night, but it felt like she was already

preparing to leave. I told myself I was overthinking. Relationships changed, didn’t they?

Love wasn’t supposed to feel intense forever. One evening, rain traced thin

lines down the window. We sat at the table, dinner untouched between us. I stared at my plate,

afraid that if I looked at her, I’d see the truth. “Are you okay?” she asked.