Chapter 108

• I never wanted to lose myself like this… but I don’t know how to be okay anymore.
• RUBEN
• There was an emptiness inside me, one I couldn’t name. I never realized when Arlet became such an important part of my life. She walked in unexpectedly, like a quiet breeze, and slowly turned into everything—my memory, my peace, my beautiful wife. I used to hear people say, “Some beautiful things come in a strange way.” I never thought much of it before. But no one ever warned me about what it feels like when that beautiful thing leaves—suddenly, without a goodbye.