𝐆𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐄𝐍 𝐒𝐋𝐔𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐒 | 𝐋𝐍𝟒

𝐗𝐗𝐕𝐈𝐈

The morning light slipped through the curtains, a soft ray landing across Milaine's face, gently waking her up. Her eyelids fluttered open, and for a moment, she didn't move—just stared at the ceiling, the weight of everything that happened the day before pressing gently on her chest.

She remembered it all. The nightmare, the way she cried until her voice gave out. The way Lando held her like the world was collapsing. The way he kissed her. The way she kissed him back.

And how they ended up falling asleep, tangled in each other's arms, like it was the only place in the world they felt safe.

But now—his arms weren't around her.

Her brow furrowed faintly as she turned her head. The sheets next to her were messy, still warm. He had definitely been there. But now, he wasn't.

She didn't panic. Didn't overthink. She just assumed he was downstairs.

With a soft sigh, she got up and padded across the room. She stepped into the bathroom, the floor cold against her bare feet, and turned on the shower. The water was warm, and the steam helped clear the haze in her head. She didn't stay in long. Just enough to wake up, and feel somewhat human again.

She pulled on a clean set of clothes—simple, comfortable. For the first time in days, she took her time. She didn't rush downstairs to check if a certain someone was still there. She sat on the edge of her bed instead, letting her hair dry slightly against the towel draped over her shoulders. Then she reached for her phone, finally turning it on..

The screen lit up, and the notifications flooded in—texts, missed calls, messages from practically everyone.

She started going through them one by one.

The first was Max.. She replied quickly—I'm okay now. Stop worrying.

Her mom had only sent one message. Just one. A simple- Take your time, and get your shit together. Call me when you're okay.

She answered it too— I got it, I'll call soon.

Then came the messages from Oscar, Lily Kelly , Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka as well ... She answered them all..

And then there was Andrey, Yet she didn't open his conversation... Not now..

And finally—Viv.

Viv, her manager, had flooded her phone.

Milaine stared at the string of unread messages, lips twitching slightly at the amount of them. It was overwhelming.. Milaine didn't text her, She called.

Viv picked up instantly. «Milaine. Oh my god. What the hell have you been doing?! I was an hour away from breaking into your house.»

Milaine blinked. «Good morning to you too.»

«I'm serious!» Viv's voice was sharp, but laced with that kind of panicked care only Viv knew how to deliver. «You turn off your phone, you go dark, you disappear for almost four days. Four . I gave you space, but come on. I was about to call a locksmith.»

«I'm fine» Milaine said softly, eyes still on the window.

Viv didn't say anything at first. Then, quieter «You're not alone, are you?»

There was a pause. Then— «No» Milaine whispered.

«It's not Andrey, is it?»

Milaine's voice stayed soft. «No. It's not.»

Viv didn't ask who. She didn't need to. The silence said she understood.

«I'm not going to ask questions, But Andrey went back to Moscow after you went radio silent.. Call him soon» she said.