𝓥𝓲𝓸𝓵𝓮𝓽

Despite my strong resistance to leaving the warmth and safety of Dominic's embrace, I climbed over him, careful not to wake or touch him.

I went into the bathroom, brushed my teeth, washed my face, and then applied new makeup. I combed through my curls with a finger and then applied the perfume I kept in one of the bathroom drawers.

Afterward, I went out into the kitchen, fully expecting to see Clara standing at the stove, making something as she often did, but she wasn't there.

She could have been in her room getting ready, but her absence bothered me. She usually was up and ready before I was. Sometimes, making breakfast, other times cleaning. But she was always there.

Quietly and quickly, I rushed down the hall to her bedroom and opened the door.

The curtains were drawn, letting in the natural sunlight. The room is clean and dusted. Her bed was made and unslept in.

Panic rose quickly. I fumbled for my phone and then utterly left it there to sit in my pocket as I rushed back to the kitchen, looking through the windows to find her car missing.

"Oh no... Oh, Clara. Oh God, oh God!" My breathing heightened into a state of hysteria.

I stumbled back towards my bedroom and burst in. Dominic rose abruptly, concern written all over his face as he pulled me in.

"Violet, what's going on!? What's wrong?"

"Clara," I managed to spit out. "She's not here."