It was another day of Medical school for Anya, the sterile scent of the lecture hall mixing with the faint smell of coffee from students' cups. She was in her first year, so clinical experience was still years away. Right now she was listening to the lecturer drone on about anatomy, physiology and pharmacology - the words blending together into a monotonous hum that made her glance repeatedly at the clock. It was going to be a long day.

When Anya finally returned home, the apartment felt unnaturally quiet without her girlfriend's usual greeting. The faint smell of her girlfriend's perfume still lingered in the air, but there was no sound of movement from any room. She checked the time - two hours past when her girlfriend should have been home. She picked up her phone, fingers trembling slightly as she dialed, but only heard the distant ringtone going straight to voicemail. Anxiety coiled in her stomach like a tight knot.

'What if she's cheating on me what if-' Her thoughts spiraled into worst-case scenarios until a sudden phone call interrupted her. She grabbed it, heart pounding so loudly she could hear it in her ears. 'Hello?' she said, voice tight with barely controlled panic.