Ethan sat alone in his quiet suburban living room, staring at the small wooden frame in his trembling right hand.
The polished oak floors and clean white molding felt cold and empty without her presence filling the spacious quiet room.
Tears rolled down his face, soaking into his skin as he pressed his thumb against her smiling face in the photo.
It had been five long years since Clara vanished from his life without leaving behind a single note or explanation.
He remembered every single detail of her face, from her soft freckles to the bright warmth in her hazel eyes.
His heart still aching with heavy grief, Ethan set the frame down on the side table next to his chair.
He stood up slowly and walked toward the window, looking out over the peaceful green suburban neighborhood streets below.
His cell phone suddenly rang on the kitchen counter, cutting through the heavy silence of the large vacant house.
Ethan walked over and answered the call without checking the caller ID on the bright blue illuminated screen.
Ethan: Hello?
Marcus: Ethan, you need to come down to the park near the central library right now.
Ethan: Marcus, I am not in the mood to hang out today, man.
Marcus: I am not asking you to hang out, brother. I just saw Clara walking near the rose garden.
Ethan nearly dropped the phone as his breath caught tight inside his chest at the sound of her name.
Ethan: Are you completely sure it was her?
Marcus: I would recognize that white dress and golden hair anywhere. Get down here immediately.
Ethan hung up the call without saying another word and quickly grabbed his car keys off the polished granite counter.
He rushed outside into the warm sunlight, his heart pounding wildly against his ribs as he started his sedan.
During the short drive across town, his mind raced back to the sudden day she had disappeared from college.
They had planned a full future together, discussing marriage, buying a home, and starting their own small family business.
Then one morning, her apartment was empty, her phone line was disconnected, and her family refused to answer questions.
Ethan pulled into the park parking lot and parked near a florist shop sitting right by the front entrance.
He ran inside the shop and bought a fresh bouquet of bright red roses with a quick cash payment.
Stepping out under the tall oak trees, he held the flowers tightly, his knuckles turning white from his strong grip.
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