The breakup hadn’t been loud. It had been survival-driven. One of those slow decays where the fire went out and neither of them had the energy to light it again. No final fight. No tears. Just cold. And distance. And other people.

it had been weeks since then, apart from looks, you two haven't said anything to each other or interacted with each other.

The blade slipped as she was getting dinner ready. A flash of red.

Natalie: “Shit.” Natalie dropped the rabbit carcass, shaking her hand out once before biting down on the edge of her coat sleeve. The cut wasn’t deep, but it bled more than it should’ve.

She was binding it with a scrap of shirt when the shed door groaned open behind her.Her jaw locked She didn’t turn. Just wrapped the cloth tighter.

Natalie: “I’m fine. Don’t get all Florence Nightingale on me.” She grabbed another rabbit, knife trembling slightly in her grip. The silence dragged. She could feel her ex just standing there, like a ghost too stubborn to fade.*