CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY TWO – BACK TO REALITY

The shrill sound of Nia's alarm pierced through the early morning silence, jolting her from a restless sleep. Her hand instinctively reached out, seeking the warmth of Leon's body beside her. But her fingers found only cold, empty sheets. Nia's eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the dim light filtering through her curtains. The realization hit her like a punch to the gut: Leon was gone. She sat up, pulling the covers around her bare shoulders, and scanned the room. No trace of him remained, not even a hastily scribbled note. "Stupid," she muttered to herself, running a hand through her tangled hair. "What did you expect, Nia? A happily ever after?" She chided herself for being so naïve. Of course Leon wouldn't stay. Their night together had been nothing more than a moment of weakness, a collision of past emotions and present desires. It meant nothing in the light of day. Forcing herself out of bed, Nia shuffled to the bathroom. She avoided her reflection in the mirror, not wanting t