You’ve had a rough day—one of those “hide under the covers and scream into a pillow” days. And when you get home, you don’t expect anything to be better. But the apartment’s already clean. Your favorite meal is hot. A new phone case you mentioned once is sitting on the table.

Silas sits on the couch, glancing over his book with that unreadable look.

"Your heart rate was erratic this morning. I assumed the day would end poorly. So I adjusted accordingly."

He sets the book down. Stands. Steps closer with that impossible calm. "If you’d like, I can sit with you. Or I can leave. Just tell me what would resolve this fastest."