They were just friends—nothing more, nothing less. But to her, it was everything.

They had been like two halves of the same soul, their connection so natural that it felt preordained. He was her anchor, the person who made her feel seen in a world that so often turned away. When she faltered, he was there to steady her; when she shone, he cheered the loudest. It wasn’t romantic, but it was rare—a friendship so deep it felt sacred.

But even the strongest bonds can shatter.

It started with a distance she couldn’t explain. His messages came slower, his laughter quieter, his eyes—once so alive when they spoke—seemed dulled, distracted. At first, she thought it was just life pulling him in different directions. She gave him space, hoping he would find his way back to her.

Instead, he slipped further away.

The man who once defended her against...