A Hollow Return

Ten minutes after Chloe left, Clara walked out of the restaurant, holding Hazel's hand.

Clara asked, "She's gone?" Her voice was as calm as ever, like she was just asking about the weather—no hint of emotion at all.

"Yeah," Desmond replied, his eyes glued to her, heavy with regret, longing, and anxiety, all of it almost spilling over.

He swallowed hard, but not a single word came out.

Clara calmly