The car ride home from the hospital was silent. Jade sat in the back seat, staring out the window, her reflection ghostly against the glass. The familiar streets passed by in a blur, but she didn’t register them. Her heart felt heavy, her chest hollow. She’d spent a week recovering in the hospital after the surgery, but no amount of rest or care could touch the deep ache that consumed her.
Milan, Enzo, and Thiago had been at her side every moment they could, but even their presence couldn’t pull her out of the dark cloud that had settled over her. Now, as they pulled into the driveway of their sprawling home, Jade felt nothing but dread.
“Jade,” Milan said softly, breaking the silence as he parked the car. “We’re home.”
She turned her head slowly, her gray eyes dull. “Okay,” she murmured, her voice flat.
Thiago quickly got out of the car and opened her door. “Take it slow,” he said, holding out his hand to help her. “You’ve just been discharged. No overexertion.”
Jade nodded and let him help her out, her movements robotic. Enzo carried her bag and walked beside her as they entered the house. The familiar scent of home greeted her, but it felt foreign now, like she was walking into someone else’s life.
As they stepped into the living room, a soft meow broke the silence. Luna padded over, her small gray body moving gracefully across the floor. Jade’s eyes softened for a moment as she bent down to pick up the kitten, cradling her against her chest.
“Hey, Luna,” Jade whispered, her voice cracking. Luna purred, nuzzling into her. For the first time in days, Jade felt a flicker of warmth, but it was fleeting.
“You missed her, huh?” Thiago said with a faint smile, watching the kitten snuggle closer to Jade.
Jade nodded, her fingers absentmindedly stroking Luna’s fur. “She’s… comforting.”
Enzo placed her bag by the stairs, his dark eyes filled with concern. “Why don’t you rest for a while? You’ve had a long day.”
Jade didn’t argue. She simply nodded and walked toward the stairs, Luna still in her arms. Milan followed silently, his presence like a shadow.