The house had never been this quiet before. [Pause — 1.5 seconds] Not even in the early hours before dawn, when the world still held its breath. Now, silence clung to the walls. Like something alive. Something watching. [Pause — 2 seconds] Daniel stood in the kitchen. One hand resting on the counter… where his wife used to leave her coffee mug. Always half full. Always forgotten in the rush of mornings.