One evening, as I sat in the car outside the building, her phone pinged.
Through the half-open window I heard her voice from the balcony, soft and low.
She laughed at something.
Then I caught a fragment: "…miss you too…"
That laugh cut through me like a blade.
I gripped the steering wheel so tight my knuckles turned white.
But I stayed there, in the dark car, and waited until she went back inside.
For the first time, I whispered to the empty car,
"Not much longer… enjoy your little paradise while you can."