In a quaint little town where the sunsets painted the sky in hues of crimson and gold, a figure stood on the balcony of a weathered house, gazing at the horizon. It was as if the sun itself had paused, mourning the absence of someone dearly loved. Ethan could feel the weight of the world resting on his shoulders as he clutched the railing, his heart heavy with memories of her.

Lila had always been the light in the darkness; her laughter was a melody that danced through his ears like the sweetest birdsong at dawn. She was the first bloom of spring, brightening his coldest winters with her warmth. On nights like this, he could still see her vibrant smile—like electric light in a darkened room—brilliant and alluring, illuminating his darkest thoughts.

But now it was night, and the gentle patter of rain against the roof echoed the sorrow he felt within. He remembered their last gathering around a barbecue in downtown New York, surrounded by friends, laughter cascading into the air like confetti. The taste of white wine lingered on his lips even now, but all it did was remind him of her absence, a stark contrast to the joy they had shared.

Ethan had promised himself he would be strong. He wanted to be a support for her son, to be the shoulder he could lean on. Yet, each time he thought of picking up the phone, a pang of anxiety would seize him. How could he share the burden of pain when all he wanted was to take it away?

With a heavy sigh, he dialed her son’s number, gripping the phone as if it was his lifeline. "Hey, it’s me," he said, his voice trembling. "I just... I wanted to tell you that she was incredible, you know? She was… everything. The world feels so different now."

They reminisced, sharing fragments of laughter intermingled with tears, each memory like a flower blooming amidst the rubble of grief. They spoke of Lila, the way her spirit soared, how she always reminded them that beauty existed even in the smallest of things.

As the call ended, Ethan stood alone again, the rain continuing to fall and the weight of loneliness sinking deeper within him. He could feel his heart racing, a physical echo of the turmoil he fought internally. Nothing felt right; the world was undeniably less beautiful since Lila had gone. He closed his eyes, trying to hold onto the essence of her life.

With every passing moment, he vowed to remember her—not just in his sorrow, but in the vibrant colors she once painted across his life. The starlight was still out there, shining fiercely among the stars, waiting to guide him through the night, reminding him that though she was gone, her love would forever linger, lighting his way through the darkest of times.