"Once upon a time, there was a kingdom..."
My voice was stiff. I didn't know how to read stories about princes and princesses. But Olei didn't complain. He curled up under the blanket, listening quietly, blinking every now and then.
My voice echoed in the quiet room. Soon, I heard Olei's breathing even out. I set the book down and looked at him.
He looked more like Anthea every day. Not just the eyes—the chin, even the way he frowned slightly in his sleep.
I sighed and smoothed his brow. Then I leaned down and kissed his forehead. "Sweet dreams, kid."
"Silas." A familiar voice came from the doorway.
I spun around. Anthea stood there. She wore a white nightgown, blonde hair falling over her shoulders, her whole body glowing with soft light. Her face was still young, beautiful, those amber eyes filled with the heartbreaking tenderness I remembered.
"Olei's asleep," she said with a smile. "Why aren't you in bed?"
My heart skipped. I knew she wasn't real. Just a hallucination, a side effect of chronic insomnia and extreme psychological strain. The antipsychotics the doctor prescribed were in my nightstand—two pills and she'd disappear.
But I never took them. Because this was the only way I could see her. Even if it was fake. Even if it drove me insane. I'd take it.
"I..." My voice caught. "I'm coming."
She smiled at me, then turned and walked toward the masterbedroom. I hurried after her, but no matter how fast I moved, she stayed the same distance ahead.
The master bedroom had only one wall sconce on, warm yellow light mixing with the silver moonlight from the window. Anthea and I stood on opposite sides of the room. I couldn't get closer.
"Look at you. Your temples are going gray. Why don't you take care of yourself?" Anthea's voice was light as air.
I stared at her greedily, afraid to blink, terrified she'd vanish.
"I'm thinking about you." My voice was raw. I reached out. "Anthea, come here. Please. Come here."
She looked at me sadly and shook her head.
"I'm in pain, Anthea." I clutched my chest—empty, yet so heavy I couldn't breathe. "Here... every day it hurts. I want to rip my heart out so it'll stop."
Anthea seemed to sigh. She moved closer, stopping a few steps away. I could see the folds in her dress, even smell the scent that wasn't there.
"You need to take care of Olei." Her voice was gentle. "He's our son. Don't be so hard on him."
"I don't know how. Come back and teach me." I begged, helpless.
"You can change." Her form started turning transparent, moonlight passing through her body. "For Olei, try to change, okay?"
"Don't go!" I lunged forward, trying to grab her hand.
But my fingers passed through her. I caught only cold air and crashed to the floor.
"Anthea!" I shouted her name.
The room was empty. I knelt on the floor and let out a broken sob.
After a long time, I pulled out the silk nightgown Anthea used to wear from under my pillow. Six years later, her scent was long gone, but I still held onto it every night. I collapsed on the bed, clutching it to my chest, fighting off insomnia.
The next morning.
Sleep deprivation made my head feel like it was splitting open. I sat at my office desk, mechanically processing documents. Maria knocked, phone in hand.
"Pakhan, it's Olei's school."
