*Shelby*
When Michael finally emerged from his office, he shuffled toward me in the kitchen with a strained expression on his face. He looked completely exhausted like he hadn't slept in days.
His eyes were glassy and heavy-lidded with dark circles underneath them. We stared at each other in wordless, aching silence, as if there was an invisible wall neither of us could breach. After what felt like an eternity, Michael was the first to break the silence.
His arms pulled me close, and I felt his heartbeat against my cheek as he whispered, “Everything's going to be okay." Despite the reassurance in his words, hollow echoes bounced around each syllable as if he didn't believe himself.
I shook my head and bit down on my trembling lip. "How is this going to be okay? What are we supposed to
