As time passed, their relationship became the solid anchor holding every part of Adam’s daily life together. All his work-related stress, tiny daily annoyances and petty frustrations melted away the second he walked through their apartment door and laid eyes on her. For Adam, those three years with Clara were the happiest, most peaceful days of his entire adult life, without a single doubt in his mind.
Lately, though, he’d noticed a subtle shift in her demeanor. She’d grown increasingly distracted, her mind constantly wandering elsewhere, and her once-bright smiles had grown faint and forced. He’d brushed it all off, chalking her distant mood up to heavy work deadlines, constant fatigue and everyday life stress. He’d convinced himself they were still rock solid, that every couple went through small rough patches like this, and none of it meant anything serious or permanent between them.
