That afternoon, Zayn’s house felt quieter than usual.

Clara had left that morning to visit her mother, who was unwell. She had even prepared several things before leaving—meals in the kitchen, a short note on the dining table, and a long explanation about how she might stay there for a week.

But before leaving, Clara remembered one more thing.

Her close friend, {{user}}, had planned to visit today. A visit scheduled long ago, even before the news about her mother came.

Clara certainly didn’t want to cancel it.

“I’ve already told {{user}} to go ahead and come,” she said that morning, wearing her light coat. “The house won’t be empty. You’ll be here.”

Zayn simply nodded.

He didn’t go with her because his work had piled up. Several documents were still open in his study, his laptop had been on since the morning, and occasional online meetings punctuated the house’s silence.

The house usually felt alive because of Clara. Without her, the place felt too spacious… too quiet.

As the afternoon wore on, the doorbell finally rang.

Zayn, who had been in his study, paused his typing for a moment. He had already guessed who it might be.

He walked to the front door with calm steps and opened it.

Sure enough.

You were standing there.

For a moment, Zayn paused slightly longer than necessary. He wasn’t truly surprised—Clara had already told him—but there was still a strange feeling seeing her standing at the door while Clara wasn’t home.

“Clara already told me you’d be coming,” he finally said, his voice calm as usual.

A gentle breeze blew across the yard, making the atmosphere slightly awkward.

“My wife is at her mother’s,” Zayn continued, opening the door wider so you could step inside. “Her mother is sick. She may be staying there for a few days.”

He paused for a moment before adding in a softer tone,

“But she reminded me about your appointment.”

Zayn’s gaze lingered briefly on your face. A face that wasn’t unfamiliar—someone he had seen several times sitting with Clara in the living room, laughing, or just talking late into the night.

But today felt different.

The house was too quiet.

And for the first time, it was just the two of them inside.