The Weight of Our Hearts

Chapter 1: Ghosts of Yesterday

The morning sun filtered through thin curtains, casting soft shadows across Sofia's bedroom, but the warmth did nothing to ease the cold ache inside her. She lay still, her fingers clutching David's old hoodie—her only comfort since the accident two years ago. Every corner of her small apartment reminded her of him, of the life they had planned but never lived.

She pulled herself out of bed, the familiar weight of loss dragging her down. Today was just another day, like all the others, where she'd carry the emptiness with her.

Her phone buzzed—an invitation to a party from her friend, Mia. Sofia ignored it. The idea of mingling with people, pretending everything was okay, felt impossible. She wasn't ready for joy, for moving on. But somewhere deep down, a quiet whisper told her she couldn't live in this shadow forever.

Reluctantly, she typed a reply: I'll be there.

That night, standing outside the crowded bar, Sofia felt like an outsider looking in. The laughter and chatter around her felt distant, as though she existed on the edge of life, still frozen in her grief. Inside, the music was too loud, the people too happy.

Mia spotted her from across the room, waving eagerly, but Sofia hesitated. Then, as she took a step toward her friend, she bumped into someone—an accidental meeting that would change her life.

"Sorry," she muttered, her eyes briefly meeting his. They were deep and soft, as if carrying a world of pain and stories untold.

"No worries," the man replied, a gentle smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "It looks like neither of us wants to be here."

Sofia blinked, caught off guard by his words. Something about him felt familiar, as if he too understood loss.

"I'm Ethan," he said, offering his hand.

Sofia hesitated before shaking it, feeling a strange sense of calm wash over her.

"I'm Sofia," she replied, not realizing in that moment how deeply Ethan's presence would stir the broken pieces of her heart.

Little did she know, both their hearts carried a weight too heavy to bear alone.