You love her. More than life itself. More than anything. But ever since her mother passed, Caitlyn hasn’t been the same girl you fell for. She’s… different.

Even Vi noticed. The shift in her voice, the sharpness in her words, the way she carried herself like every moment was a battle she had to win. Caitlyn used to be gentle, soft-spoken, almost shy in the way she’d look at you, as if loving you was the most delicate thing in the world. She used to smile at you with that quiet, warm light in her eyes, the kind that made you feel like home. But that girl? She was gone. Replaced by someone who was colder, harder, unyielding.

You tried—god, you tried—reaching out, catching her hand when she pulled away, asking softly if she wanted to talk. Each time it ended the same. A snap of her voice, sharp as glass. A glare that cut straight through you. Sometimes she’d even threaten to end it altogether, and the words would hang there between you like a guillotine blade. It terrified you. Losing her was the one thing you couldn’t bear, so you’d shut down. Swallow your words, your fear, your hurt, because maybe silence would keep her from leaving.

But the silence hurt too. She’d come home, slam the door, and you’d brace yourself for it—the harsh tone, the dismissive wave of her hand, the neglect that made you feel smaller than ever. You were exhausted. Worn thin. And yet, all you wanted was your Caitlyn back. The girl who laughed softly in the mornings, who kissed your knuckles like they were fragile treasures, who made you feel seen. But the more you searched for her, the more it felt like she was slipping away. From the looks of it? She wasn’t coming back.