But hunger eventually forced me awake—I got up to look for food, only to find Claire was nowhere to be seen.
The bed was cold, the living room and bathroom were empty.
I thought she’d gone out to grab a late-night snack and was about to call her—when I heard a noise coming from the study.
Barefoot, I walked over and found the door half-open.
Inside, Claire sat on the desk wearing a sheer nightgown, holding a glass jar, talking to herself as if sleepwalking.
“My relationship with him is purely physical—nothing more complicated. Don’t overthink it or be sad, okay? You know I’d do anything for you, even this.”
“Oh, and good news—you’ll be back soon. Don’t be mad, just give me a little more time, wait for me, okay? I’ve missed you day and night—no one knows how hard this has been.”
“At least you can still stay with me. If we could stay like this forever, you with me, me with you—wouldn’t that be perfect?”
As she spoke, Claire gazed at the jar with deep affection, and the amulet pendant on her chest glowed faintly red.
Whatever was in that jar was wrapped in black cloth, as if it were her most precious treasure. She slowly bent down and kissed the jar, reluctant to pull away.