Hollow Embrace

Darius Thorne

As I walked into Nadia’s house, I felt the tension in the air, like the calm before a storm. Something wasn’t right, and it wasn’t just Nadia’s place; it was me.

Nadia appeared from the kitchen, her smile wide and inviting, as if nothing had changed. But I wasn’t in the mood for her games today. I barely managed to return her smile, and even that felt like a burden.

“Darius, you’re h