"I will leave you," he says finally, his voice steady. "Not because the love is gone, but so you can find the person you are when no one is watching you struggle." 4. The Parting

: Exploring the thin line between supporting someone and enabling their loss of self.

The story takes place in , a small village on the shores of Lake Como. It is late October. The vibrant summer crowds have vanished, leaving behind cobblestone alleys filled with the scent of damp earth and woodsmoke. The lake is a sheet of cold glass, reflecting a sky that can’t decide between grey and gold. The Characters

The story ends a year later. Elias is in his shop when the mail arrives. There is no letter inside the envelope, only a small digital recorder. He presses play.