Chapter 4 •Shadows of the Weekend•

Saturday morning arrived with an unwelcome quiet. Maddie lay in bed longer than usual, the gray light filtering through the blinds casting soft shadows on the ceiling.

It was the kind of stillness she normally cherished—a chance to breathe after a long week—but today, it felt heavy.

She finally rose, tugging on a sweater against the coolness of the apartment. The soft hum of the heater filled the silence as she made herself coffee.

Normally, she and Mark would have spent mornings like this together, sharing jokes and planning their weekend. But now, it was just her.

As she stirred her coffee, her phone buzzed on the counter. Maddie’s heart skipped as she saw Mark’s name flash on the screen.

Mark: Morning, Madds. Hope you slept well. Miss you.

She smiled. It was a small message, but it was enough to warm the chill of the empty kitchen. For the first time in days, she felt the familiar flutter of affection.

Maddie: Morning! Miss you too. What’s your day looking like?

A reply came a minute later.

Mark: Meetings all day, unfortunately. I’ll try to call later tonight if it’s not too late.

Maddie sighed. It wasn’t the response she’d hoped for, but she knew his work was demanding. She set the phone down and sipped her coffee, trying to push the loneliness aside.

After breakfast, Maddie spent the day cleaning the apartment, trying to fill the hours with activity. She dusted the bookshelves, organized the kitchen cabinets, and even scrubbed the bathroom floor—tasks she’d been putting off for weeks. But no matter how much she accomplished, the silence followed her like a shadow.

By the afternoon, she found herself sitting on the couch, scrolling aimlessly through her phone. Ethan’s name popped up on the screen, and she hesitated before opening their chat.

Ethan: Survived the stir-fry night?

She chuckled, her fingers hovering over the keyboard.

Maddie: Barely. It was touch and go for a moment, but I pulled through.

His reply came quickly.

Ethan: A hero among us. What’s the plan for the weekend?

Maddie: Cleaning. Lots of it. My fridge is spotless now, so I guess I’m winning.

Ethan: Living the dream. Let me know if you need help alphabetizing your spices or anything equally thrilling.

Maddie laughed, shaking her head. Ethan’s playful sarcasm was always a welcome distraction.

By the time evening came, the apartment was spotless, but Maddie felt no less restless. She curled up on the couch with a blanket, scrolling through streaming options but unable to commit to anything. Her phone buzzed again, and she reached for it quickly.

It was Mark.

Mark: Sorry it’s late. Just wanted to say goodnight. Love you.

Her chest tightened.

Maddie: Love you too. Hope tomorrow’s easier for you.

She set the phone down and stared at it for a moment. The message had made her smile, but it also left her wanting more—more warmth, more connection, more of the man she used to know so well.

As the hours passed, Maddie found herself thinking about how much had changed. Mark wasn’t a bad boyfriend—he was kind, hardworking, and thoughtful when he could be.

But lately, their relationship felt like a ghost of what it once was. She missed the way he used to surprise her with flowers or call just to hear her voice. Now, their love felt buried under schedules and distance.

And then there was Ethan. He wasn’t a replacement for Mark, and she didn’t want him to be. But his lightheartedness, his attentiveness—it was hard not to notice the stark contrast.

The night stretched on, the city lights casting a soft glow through the window. Maddie lay in bed later, staring at the ceiling, her thoughts swirling.

The silence of the apartment was deafening, a reminder of just how much had changed.

As she drifted off to sleep, she wondered how long she could keep pretending everything was fine.

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