Nora Vanderbilt's life takes a mysterious turn when a near-death experience grants her extraordinary abilities, catching the attention of the enigmatic Dr. Hunter Aloysius Percy. Invited to join an exclusive research study on NDE survivors, Nora is...
It had been a couple of weeks since Nora had asked Hap to move out. In those two weeks, she had found some clarity, but the questions and emotions that lingered still weighed on her. The space had given her the breathing room she needed, the time to think about who she was and what she wanted. But even as the days passed, she still wasn't sure of the answers.
The sun was casting a lazy glow through the curtains one Saturday afternoon when she heard the familiar knock on her door. She hadn't been expecting anyone, especially not Hap. She had barely gotten out of her pajamas, feeling like she hadn't quite put herself together yet. But she knew it was important.
She hesitated for just a moment before walking to the door, and when she opened it, there he stood—Hap, looking like he'd been expecting to see her. His expression was calm, but there was something vulnerable in his eyes.
"Can we talk?" he asked, his voice steady but with a note of uncertainty.
Nora nodded, stepping aside to let him in. "Sure, come in."
They walked into the living room, where Nora still sat in her oversized pajama shirt and sweatpants, not quite ready to face the reality of everything between them. She motioned to the couch and they both sat, a few feet apart, the space between them feeling like an ocean despite the intimacy of the room.
"I've been playing a lot of Animal Crossing," Nora said, breaking the silence as she reached for her Nintendo Switch on the coffee table. "It's been a good distraction. Helps me focus on something that doesn't make my head spin." She turned the console toward him, showing off her little island—there were cute animals everywhere, a garden of flowers in full bloom, and a small house with a neat little garden out front.
Hap's lips twitched into a small smile. "It's a nice little escape," he said softly, glancing at the screen for a moment.
Nora laughed quietly. "Yeah. It's been my refuge. Feels like I can control something, at least."
She set the console down and turned off the screen, the sudden silence settling between them. Hap was watching her now, waiting.
"You've had time to think," he said gently. "Now, can we talk?"
Nora sighed, running her fingers through her messy hair as she leaned back on the couch. Her gaze dropped to her hands, her heart racing as the weight of the moment began to sink in.
"I still don't know what to do, Hap," she said, her voice quiet but firm. "I've had the space I needed, and you've been great about that. But I don't know if it's fixed anything. I'm still just as confused as I was before. Maybe more."
Hap's face softened, but there was a trace of sadness in his eyes. "I understand," he said, his voice sincere. "I've been trying to give you what you asked for, trying to give you the room to breathe. But I can't help but wonder if I've lost you completely."
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