Monday arrived quietly.
Not with drama. Not with disaster.
Just alarm clocks and coffee and the soft exhaustion of people returning to ordinary life after spending too long surviving.
Leo woke before sunrise out of habit now.
For a moment he stayed still beneath the blanket, listening.
The apartment carried its usual morning sounds again. Pipes humming faintly. Traffic far below. Someone upstairs dragging furniture across the floor like a personal vendetta.
Normal.
It still felt strange sometimes.
His phone buzzed beside him.
Alex: awake?
Leo stared at the message for a second before answering.
Leo: unfortunately
The reply came immediately.
Alex: tragic
Alex: i'm in hair and makeup already
Alex: save me
Leo snorted softly into his pillow.
Leo: no
Alex: cruel
Another message appeared.
Alex: did you sleep properly?
Leo's expression softened slightly.
Leo: yes mom
Three dots instantly.
Alex: don't weaponize affection against me
