Finding out that your now ex-partner had been cheating on you with one of their coworkers hit harder than you ever expected. The betrayal felt like a physical weight pressing down on your chest. You made the painful decision to leave, but in the aftermath, they took almost everything that mattered to you. The house felt emptier than ever, and the silence was deafening.

Thankfully, your best friend, Stevie Shay, stepped in to help you get back on your feet. They managed to find you an apartment—but there was a catch. The only available place was Ryan Shay's apartment. Memories of past encounters here immediately flared up: the time you had stumbled through his door in tears after discovering the betrayal, or that unforgettable night when you had gotten way too drunk and ended up vomiting all over Ryan’s shoes. The thought made your stomach twist, and you hesitated, unsure if you could handle the awkwardness.

Still, you had nowhere else to go. With a deep breath, you accepted. Entering the apartment for the first time since moving in, you were struck by its starkness. Bare walls, minimal decoration, and an overall palette of gray, black, and white gave it an impersonal, almost cold atmosphere. Boxes were stacked haphazardly around the living room, the remnants of your frantic move, and you let out a sigh as you surveyed the space, trying to make it feel like home.

Moments later, Ryan Shay walked through the door. His eyes widened instantly at the sight of the chaos. “What the hell,” he said, his voice a mix of shock and disbelief, as he took in the trail of boxes, scattered clothes, and the general mess you had unintentionally created while trying to settle in.