During the funeral, a crow landed on the girl’s coffin. A second later, everyone present was STRUCK SPEECHLESS…

She stepped inside, shed her wet coat, and let it fall to the floor. Her damp hair clung to her face, but she didn’t bother fixing it. She set the box by the door and went to the kitchen.

The apartment was quiet and dark, only the muffled rain outside breaking the silence. Emily sat at the table, resting her head on her hands, staring into nothingness. “What a coward! He didn’t even try to explain!” Ten minutes passed before she dragged herself to the kitchen.

Her eyes fell on her phone on the table. She didn’t want to touch it, but something urged her to check. The screen lit up, showing fifteen missed calls from Matthew.

“Seriously?” she exclaimed, staring at the screen. “Now you call?” The phone buzzed again. Matthew.

“No…” She rejected the call and muted the phone. It buzzed again seconds later. “Enough!” she yelled, standing.

She grabbed the phone and powered it off. In the bathroom, she stripped off her wet clothes and stepped into a hot shower. Warm water warmed her chilled body.

It ran down her shoulders and back, but the inner pain remained. Later, wrapped in a warm blanket, she sat in the kitchen. Her tea had gone cold.

She couldn’t bring herself to sip it. A loud knock at the door startled her. At first, she thought it was a neighbor, but the knock came again, louder.

“Emily, open the door! We need to talk!” Matthew’s voice came from outside. Her heart clenched. “Open it! Please!” He knocked again.

“Let me explain!” She approached the door slowly, stopping just behind it, leaning against the cold wall. “Go away!” she whispered, clenching her fists. “Please, open the door!” His voice was soft, almost pleading.

“You know I don’t mean you harm! Let’s just talk!” She closed her eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks. “There’s nothing to talk about!” she said louder. “Don’t be childish, Emily!” Anger crept into his voice.

“I didn’t come here to stand outside!” “Then leave!” she said firmly, wiping her tears. “Leave and don’t come back!” “You’re acting hysterical!” he snapped, pounding the door. “We can handle this like adults!” “Adults don’t betray people who trust them!” she hissed.

“Go away, Matthew!” His footsteps paused, then stopped. “Think you can handle this alone?” he scoffed. Her eyes widened in pain and horror.

“I hate you!” she whispered, staring at the door as if he could hear. “Get out!” She heard his heavy steps, then silence. After several long minutes, she dared to breathe again.

She peeked through the peephole. Darkness. Empty…