Humming.

It was the same song the very melody he and Catherine had created together, the one that had once filled their home with warmth and love. But now, hearing it from the lips of this stranger, it felt like a ghost, twisting the joy of the tune into something dark and mournful.

Julius’s hands shook, his pulse quickening. His mind raced to understand, to reconcile the impossible. How could she know that song? How could she know Catherine?

The air grew heavier with the eerie sound, each note digging deeper into his grief, pulling him back into memories of the life he had lost. And yet, in the midst of the haunting hum, a single thought stood out, clear as glass: Was this some cruel illusion, or was Catherine somehow still here?

Julius scanned the room once more, his eyes desperately searching for any sign of Catherine, but she was nowhere to be found. The room remained unchanged, cold and empty. Stella, however, was still there, humming that haunting melody, her soft smile never fading. The song filled the space between them, pulling him deeper into the ache of loss.

Suddenly, as if some invisible force snapped inside him, Julius lunged forward. His hands gripped Stella’s shoulders, the action fueled by a sudden, overwhelming desperation. Stella let out a startled scream, her body jerking in fear as she flinched away, convinced he was about to strike. The song stopped abruptly, the room falling into a tense silence, save for the frantic sound of Stella’s ragged breaths.

She looked at him, wide-eyed and trembling, her gaze flickering between confusion and fear. Julius held her shoulders tightly, his tear-filled eyes searching hers, as if trying to find some clue to unravel this strange, painful riddle. The realization hit him like a wave—this wasn’t some cruel illusion. Stella was real, she was here. And that truth only deepened the gnawing discomfort inside him.

He released her abruptly, stumbling back into his seat in embarrassment, his breath heavy with the weight of what had just happened. His hands trembled, unable to escape the sharp sting of humiliation. He had thought she was a figment of his mind, another cruel trick of grief, but she wasn’t. She was here, and the presence of her warmth only made the mystery more unbearable.

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“I... I’m sorry,” she said, her words hesitant, as though she was unsure of their weight. “I didn’t mean to startle you. The song... it just... came to me.” She paused, looking down at her hands, as if searching for the right words to explain the inexplicable.

“I didn’t know what it was, or why it felt so familiar,” she continued, her voice softer now, almost apologetic. “It just... it felt right. My body acted on its own, like something was guiding me, telling me it would help you.”

She looked up then, her gaze searching his face, as if seeking understanding. “I didn’t know the song you and your wife made together. I promise, I had no intention of invoking anything painful.”

Julius stared at her, his heart pounding in his chest. The hum of the melody echoed in his mind, the warmth of Catherine’s memory flooding back in waves, but there was no malice in Stella’s words—only an innocence, a kind of confused sincerity.

It was a strange comfort, even in the face of such confusion. Stella wasn’t an enemy. She wasn’t trying to hurt him. She was just... acting on a pull she didn’t understand.

“I didn’t mean to make you think I was attacking,” Julius said, his voice thick with emotion. “I thought you were a ghost, a trick of my mind. I... I thought Catherine was still here. I didn’t expect this.”

Stella nodded gently, her eyes softening as she reached out, her hand hovering for a moment before resting on his arm in a quiet gesture of reassurance.

“I understand,” she said simply, her voice quiet but earnest. “I didn’t mean to add to your pain, Julius. I’m sorry.”

Julius wiped his eyes, a shaky breath escaping him as he nodded, his voice soft but sincere. “It’s... it’s okay, Stella. You didn’t know.” He stood up slowly, his legs unsteady as if the weight of the moment still pressed down on him.

“You’ve walked such a long way,” he continued, his voice carrying a warmth, even in the midst of the tension. “You can have my bed for the night. I’ll sleep on the couch.”

He gave her a faint, apologetic smile, trying to offer some small measure of comfort. His home was hers for as long as she needed, even if it felt like everything else in his world had shattered.

Stella looked up at him, her expression softening with quiet gratitude. “Are you sure?” she asked, hesitating for a moment, still unsure of how to navigate the strange space between them.

Julius nodded firmly, brushing off the discomfort of the situation. “It’s fine. You need rest. I’ll be alright.”

With that, he moved to gather the few things he needed for the night, leaving the space for her to settle in. His mind still swirled with questions, but for now, he would offer her the hospitality that had always been part of him, even if he wasn’t entirely sure what tomorrow would bring.