In the days that followed, Amber hastened the process of packing her belongings. The mansion's trash bins filled quickly with old clothes, discarded trinkets and unused items. Every corner of the house bore the evidence of her quiet departure.
One evening, after a long day of work, Calvin returned home only to trip over a stack of neatly packed cardboard boxes near the door. Curious, he opened one, pulling out a few of Amber's personal items: crocheted carrots, potted succulents and Pikachu figurines.
"What's all this?" he asked, his voice casual but laced with an underlying tension.
Amber froze, her hand still poised mid-motion as she set the table. The briefest pause followed before she quickly came up with an explanation.
"I'm getting the studio ready for its opening. I thought some of my stuff would make it feel more like home," she said, trying to sound casual.
"Your stuff? How's that going to feel like home?" Calvin mused, crouching down to inspect one of the succulents. An involuntary smile tugged at his lips, though he was likely unaware of it.
Amber, eager to divert his attention, responded quickly, "Let's eat first. Florence made your favorite, sweet-and-sour ribs."