The day started like every other quiet morning. I stood in the kitchen, wearing Carson’s big white shirt, stirring a pot of soup. The smell of spices filled the air. Not long after, Carson walked in, his hair still wet from the shower. He looked fresh, calm, and a little too quiet. “You’re cooking?” he asked, smiling lightly. I nodded. “I wanted to surprise you,"I said. He walked over and kissed my forehead. “I’m surprised,” he said. “In a good way.” I smiled and went back to stirring. We ate together, we talked, we laughed a little and everything felt so good. After breakfast,I did the dishes and cleaned the kitchen while he sat on the couch reading a file. I watched him from the corner of my eye. He looked serious… too serious. “You’ve been quiet lately,” I said slowly. He look

