Borrowed silence

Sophie is tired.

Tired of waking up already exhausted.
Tired of carrying thoughts that never seem to rest.
Tired of being told she is strong when all she wants is for the weight to stop.

When the world becomes too loud and hope flickers dangerously low, Sophie falls asleep begging for silence - not to disappear, but to rest without guilt. She wakes somewhere else entirely. A place quieter than anything she has known. A place that does not demand healing, gratitude, or progress.

And there, she is not alone.

Vaelen does not promise to save her. He does not offer easy answers or miracles. He simply stays - steady, patient, unafraid of the darkness she carries. Through subtle magic and quiet presence, he shows Sophie that pain does not define her worth, and that survival does not have to look heroic to be real.

Borrowed Silence is a tender, introspective story about anxiety, depression, and the kind of support that rarely gets portrayed - the kind that listens, waits, and does not turn away. It is a story for those who have felt like a burden, for those who were promised help that faded too quickly, and for those still learning that staying is an act of courage.

Content & Trigger Warning

This novel explores themes of anxiety, depression, emotional exhaustion, feelings of worthlessness, and passive thoughts of wanting relief from existence. It also touches on emotional neglect, abandonment, and the impact of misunderstanding mental health struggles.

While written with care and compassion, some scenes may be confronting for readers with lived experience. Please read at your own pace and take breaks if needed.

You are not required to finish this book to prove anything. Your wellbeing comes first.