Chapter 35

• The next day, Sylvia woke up early, the sunlight streaming through her window and warming her skin. She had no idea why she had slept for so long the previous day. The exhaustion that had enveloped her was unlike anything she had experienced before. It felt as if she had been in a deep slumber, one that could only be broken by the overwhelming emotions of the day before.
• After taking a moment to gather herself, she went through her morning routine, trying to shake off the remnants of yesterday’s tension. Once she felt somewhat composed, she walked out of her room and headed downstairs. The house was quiet, and a sense of unease crept in as she thought about Stephan. She had no idea when he had returned home the previous night or how he had reacted to their argument.
• Sylvia walked into the living room, glancing around for any sign of him, but he was nowhere to be found. The emptiness of the space mirrored her feelings—an unsettling combination of longing and apprehension. She decided to continue to the dining room, hoping to find some comfort in food.