Chapter Eighteen: The Sound of His Broken Heart

The car glided to a stop outside Layla's house, and Tristan's voice, gentle like a whisper in the night, floated in the air, "Can you handle it on your own? Do you need a hand?" The silence between them felt eerie, like a thin fog enveloping them. Layla's heart raced, threatening to burst out of her chest. Without much thought, she quickly replied, "Thanks, but I've got it." She swung open the car door and stepped out, retreating back to her home as if each stride was a desperate escape. Slamming the door shut behind her, she leaned against the cool frame, trying to catch her breath. After some time spent trying to steady herself, she reluctantly came to terms with the harsh reality. She started to wonder if it was all just a crazy coincidence. She nodded to herself, trying to convince her mind to accept this fresh idea. In a world full of similar faces, could it really be just a coincidence between them - a mere whiff of perfume, a simple watch? Layla found it hard to unwind t