The first rays of sunlight slipped through the heavy curtains, painting the room in soft gold. Iris stirred beneath the sheets, but sleep felt like a distant memory. Her chest ached, tight and restless, as though her nightmare had left a weight she couldn't shake.

The bed beside her was empty. Cold. Too cold. She sat up, pulling the blanket closer, the absence of him hitting her harder than she expected. He had left... But why?