Chapter 42: Loneliness Creeping

I couldn't shake off the feeling of sadness that had settled in my heart. I was genuinely happy for Samantha, but the thought of her leaving Mayfair was difficult to bear. I had grown so accustomed to having her by my side, and the thought of being apart felt daunting. The morning sun filtered through my window, casting a warm glow over my room. As I lay in bed, my phone buzzed with a familiar name. Jason. Smiling, I answered, eager for our usual early morning romantic greetings and banter. “Good morning, beautiful,” Jason’s voice was warm and soothing. “Good morning, handsome,” I replied, trying to infuse my voice with cheerfulness. But even I could hear the lingering sadness. “You sound a bit off today. Is everything okay?” he asked, his voice filled with concern. I sighed, “It’s just... Samantha. She got the job, and she’s leaving Mayfair soon.” “Oh, Lily, I’m sorry. I know how much she means to you,” Jason said softly. “But hey, she’s not leaving your life, just the town. You’