Arjun typed: A.J.

"Me too," he lied.

Arjun pressed Yes .

A fresh WhatsApp opened—clean, no chats, no history. He added a burner SIM profile, a virtual number from a texting app, and a profile photo of a sunset he’d never actually watched.

Arjun stared at his phone screen, thumb hovering over the button.

He opened it.

"I miss us," she said.