Soft shades of blue lted into gray, then into a quiet, heavy black, as though night itself was slowly pressing against the mansion.
Alone, Julie sat on the edge of the bed and turned her head toward the bedside drawer.
Then her hand stretched forward, fingers hovering just inches above the smooth surface but she stopped midway. Slowly, almost reluctantly, she pulled her hand back, curling it into her lap.
"Maybe he’s working," she murmured, her voice quiet and fragile, as though she were trying to convince herself. She drew one leg onto the bed, hugging it loosely, her shoulders sinking inward.
Just as her thoughts began to spiral, the silence shattered.
Julie startled, her head snapping up.
Her fingers wrapped around the phone, and she lifted it to her face.
Love.
She swiped the green icon upward without a second thought.
Her smile blood wider, reaching her eyes as she answered, "Snowflake."
For a brief mont, happiness flickered brightly in her eyes, lighting her face like a candle in the dark. But just as quickly, that glow dimd.
Because hearing him only reminded her of how far away he was.
Even with his voice filling the room, the emptiness beside her remained painfully real.
Julie’s lips pushed forward into a small pout before she could stop herself.
On the other end of the line, Roman’s brows drew together almost imdiately.
His posture shifted, shoulders straightening as concern replaced the easy calm on his face.
The screen flickered, then his face appeared. The warm lighting around him contrasted sharply with the dimness of Julie’s room.
but the worry didn’t leave his eyes.
Julie hugged the phone closer, as if that might shorten the distance between them.
"I miss you a lot," she said, followed by a small sniff she couldn’t hide.
"Co on, dear. Didn’t you forget that what’s remaining is just one day?" he said, his tone light, reassuring unaware that fate had other plans.
"Then don’t worry, okay?" Roman continued, his voice soothing, steady. "I’ll be back soon enough, and the days will run like Flash."
"Okay," she murmured.
"So," he said, tilting his head slightly, trying to shift her mood, "what did you do during the dayti?"
The tension in her shoulders eased just a little as she prepared to answer, comforted by the simple fact that he was looking at her really looking like nothing else in the world mattered more than this mont.
Even through the small fra, she could see the familiar softness in his eyes the kind that always made her chest ache in a way she never knew how to explain.
Roman’s brows lifted slowly, and a teasing glint appeared in his eyes. He gave her a deliberate wink.
"So," Roman said gently, his voice dropping into that calm, coaxing tone she loved, "what’s your plan for tomorrow?"
"I have nothing to do. That’s why... even though you’re not here, it already feels like years," she admitted, her lips forming a small pout.
"I’m sorry, dear."
"Maybe I should quit this job and stay ho with you. That sounds like a great plan. Or maybe we’ll travel visit every state on earth."
"What do you an you’ll quit your job?" she asked, shock clear in her voice.
"DON’T YOU KNOW I LIKE YOU BEING WEALTHY?"
"Ohhh," he said slowly. "Hmm... I’m suspecting sothing."
Roman leaned closer to the cara, his expression suddenly serious beneath the teasing.
Julie froze.
"No that’s not it," she said quickly, her cheeks burning red.
"Relax, Snowflake. I’m joking."
"You joke too much."
Despite the ache in her chest, Julie smiled too because even separated by distance, his voice still felt like ho.
The silence wasn’t awkward it was familiar, heavy with everything they didn’t need to say.
Julie nodded faintly. She shifted on the bed, tucking one leg beneath her, the fabric rustling softly.
"Just a little," she admitted. "Talking to you helps."
His gaze traced her features with quiet attention the slight tiredness in her eyes, the way she kept hugging the phone closer, as though afraid he might slip away if she loosened her grip.
Julie smiled again, smaller this ti, but real.
Roman’s jaw tightened for a split second before he masked it with a smile. "One day," he said, voice steady, "we won’t have to count days anymore. No calls. No screens. Just you complaining that I’m too close."
"I know," he replied, eyes warm. "That’s why I hurry back."
The ache didn’t disappear but it softened, dulled by the certainty in his voice.
Julie nodded, resting her cheek against the pillow, eyes still fixed on him. "I’ll wait," she whispered.
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