The Heartbreak Prescription by Glazed Snow

Stanley rang the doorbell.

It wasn't long before the apartment door swung open, revealing Wendy's graceful figure in the doorway. "Who is it -Mr. Hawk?"

Wendy's eyes met Stanley's, and he could see that she had changed into a loose, comfortable home dress. The delicate makeup she had worn earlier was now gone, revealing a fresh, natural beauty-a face untouched by powder, glowing with the softness of the evening/

She looked a world away from the radiant woman at the diner party.

"Do you have a moment?" Stanley asked.

Wendy's fingers twitched nervously. "Is there something you need? You can just say it'

Stanley opened his mouth, but before he could speak, a familiar voice echoed from inside. "Who's there, Wendy?"

Stanley looked up and saw Samuel standing in the apartment.

Samuel, in slippers and holding an apple, was casually biting into it. "Mr. Hawk, what brings you here?"

Stanley's words caught in his throat. He hadn't expected Samuel to be there.

tone a little more guarded, "So? Is there something you need?

looked at her, then glanced inside again. "Just you and Samuel

to be here together?" Wendy countered, her tone

face hardened, his aristocratic features growing colder. The tension in the air grew

out from the kitchen. "Wendy, are you done?

in from inside.

as he processed the voices. Inside, there was more than just Samuel-Halsey and Cecelia were there

Samuel was hanging out with Wendy's two closest friends made it clear that they were all very

at Stanley, a polite smile on his face. "Mr. Hawk, we're making dinner. Have you eaten yet? You're welcome to join

hurried return to find Wendy, opened his

could speak,

She turned back to Stanley, her tone firm. "We're

reached

reached for the door, and with a swift motion, closed it in his face

for a moment, stunned. Then, he let out a quiet, self- deprecating smile. He turned and

so his apartment was quiet-empty, save for the soft light in the living room. Tall and lean, he stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking