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ADELINE
The dimly lit room was filled with an unsettling silence, broken only by the faint sound of breathing. The weight of unspoken words hung heavy in the air. I stood frozen, my eyes locked onto the figure sitting on the couch, his head bowed, shoulders slumped in exhaustion.
My breathing was heavier than before as everything finally settled in.
My heart clenched at the sight of him—Vladimir.
He looked so different from the boy I remembered. His once-vibrant energy was now replaced with a heavy stillness, as if the world had drained him of everything but sorrow.
His long hair fell over his face, concealing his expression, but I could see his hands clenched tightly into fists on his lap, the tension in his body evident.
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I stepped forwa
