I nodded, understanding the rift that time and circumstance had created.
When I was back at home, the photograph of our family hanging on the wall drew me into a pensive silence.
A crucial realization dawned on me, prompting a message to a trusted friend, Rebecca Colbert, requesting her assistance.
A mere day had passed when my phone buzzed with notifications. Messages and photos from Rebecca flooded in, confirming my darkest suspicions.
I played my part, acting as if the tragedy of my past life was but a distant nightmare until the day the fire was meant to consume everything.
On that fateful morning, I told Mitchell, "I need to step out for a bit because I have something to take care of."
He didn't press, simply replying, "Alright, but come back soon."
I met Rebecca at a coffee shop. Three years had stretched between us, but our conversation bridged the gap of time with words.
When we were engrossed in our conversation, time slipped away unnoticed. It wasn't until a call from a neighbor shattered our tranquility.