𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐏𝐞𝐭 • 𝐄. 𝐎𝐥𝐬𝐞𝐧

40 • Empty Cityscapes

                ╔═══*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═══╗

6 months later...

-Berlin, Germany-

The snowflakes fell gently from the darkened sky, coating the city of Berlin in a pristine white blanket. It was an evening painted with loving families, thoughtful lovers, and merry people, all disregarding where the city's secrets remained buried beneath the layers of freshly fallen flurries.

Stella trudged through the snow-covered streets, her footsteps barely making a sound. Her apartment was perched in the penthouse of a towering building, overlooking the bustling city. It was an abode of luxury, a stark contrast to the morally gray path she'd been walking for the past few months.

Her face was an enigma, revealing nothing about her past, her intentions, or secrets held close to her heart. Stella had always been skilled at keeping her true self hidden, like a master of disguise.

As she unlocked the door to her empty apartment, the silence enveloped her like a shroud. Luna, a fair faithful husky, lay asleep on the plush couch, oblivious to her owner's arrival. Stella offered a brief, affectionate pat before making her way to the wide glass doors that lead to the rooftop.

She climbed the stairs in solitude, the chill in the air biting at her porcelain skin. Reaching the rooftop, she perched herself on the ledge, her gaze fixed upon the cityscape. The skyline of Germany sprawled before her, a tapestry of glowing lights and bustling life.

She observed the families and couples below, their laughter and smiles echoing in the crisp winter air. It was a world she was familiar with but had chosen to distance herself from, living in the shadows where her insecurities lie. She was alone with her never-ending thoughts, settled high above the city, as the snow continued to fall.

Enveloped in the ethereal beauty of her environment, Stella let her thoughts run wild. Stella's contemplation was interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. She turned to her brother, Lukas, taking a seat beside her on the high ledge. He offered her a small reassuring smile as he observed the cityscape alongside her.

"You know, you can't hide up here forever," Lukas said softly "I've been worried about you, Stell. You're different now, and it's not just the city that's changed you."

Stella exhaled, her shoulders slumping over as she refused to gaze upon her brother's broken stare. "I can't go back, Lukas. Not after I did,"

Lukas nudged her gently with his shoulder. "You're not giving her enough credit, y'know? What you and Liz shared was more than love, I know it now,"

Stella's eyes glistened with a hint of sadness, a shiver running down her spine as the cold winter's air enveloped them. Her gaze dropped to her frozen hands, her rings falling loose against her skin. "She might have loved me once, but she's moved on, and I don't blame her. Trust and respect are hard to mend once they're broken."

Her brother placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, his touch making her flinch slightly. "People make mistakes, Estella. Even big ones. But that doesn't mean it's the end of everything. It's not the end of your love story."

Stella peered over at her brother, her eyes void of all hope and emotion. They had no beauty left to them anymore as she had spent days stripping her soul bare. "But it's not just about the past anymore. Our relationship and everything we had is broken beyond repairs... it's gone. It's dead."

Lukas didn't push further. He understood that his sister needed time to heal, to come to terms with her past. He gave her a shoulder a reassuring squeeze and spoke softly, "Take your time, Stella. But remember, it's never too late to try and rebuild something that's worth fighting for."