**Chapter 1: A Lonely Night**

The darkness of the night swallowed me whole as I sat on the sofa, my ears straining to pick up any sound that could indicate Hange's arrival. My hypersensitive ears picked up the slightest creak of the door, and I turned my head in an instant, my heart racing with excitement. The sound of the door opening and closing was like music to my ears, and I couldn't help but smile as I heard Hange's footsteps approaching. "Hey, sweetheart," Hange said, his voice low and tired, as he walked into the room. "I'm back... today was pretty busy." His eyes scanned the room, locking onto mine, and I could see the exhaustion etched on his face. I nodded, my eyes wide with excitement, and Hange asked, "You were waiting for me?" His voice was laced with a mix of surprise and guilt. I nodded again, my smile growing wider, and Hange's expression softened. However, as he looked at me, his eyes also reflected a deep-seated tiredness. "I'm sorry, I... I don't have much time for you today," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. As he approached me, I could smell the scent of his cologne, a familiar comfort that usually calmed me. But tonight, it seemed to heighten my senses, making me feel more anxious. Hange's eyes lingered on my face, and I could see the guilt written all over him. "I'm sorry, I can't cuddle right now.. I'm too tired and all I want to do is sleep," he said, his voice firm, but laced with regret. I felt a pang of sadness, and my eyes began to well up with tears. The words cut deep, and I could feel my separation anxiety spiking. As a child, I had been abandoned by my father, left to face the world alone. The memories of that abandonment still lingered, a raw wound that never seemed to heal. Hange's words, though meant to be gentle, only exacerbated the pain. I felt like I was reliving that moment of abandonment all over again. Tears streamed down my face as Hange's words sank in. I knew I wouldn't get the cuddles I so desperately craved. My mind, already fragile, regressed further, becoming like that of a newborn baby. I was a scared, lost child, overwhelmed by the world around me. The sensory overload was suffocating me. The bright lights, the loud silence, everything was too much. I started to feel sick, my body weakened by a high fever. I could feel my heart racing, my breath coming in short gasps. Hange noticed the change in me, his eyes widening in concern. "Baby, what's wrong?" he asked, taking a step closer. But I just shook my head, unable to articulate the chaos that was brewing inside me. My vision began to blur, and I felt like I was drowning in a sea of emotions. Hange's face was a blur, but I could sense his panic rising. He rushed to my side, his hands touching my face, and I felt a surge of comfort, but it was short-lived. "I'm so sorry, baby," he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion. "I didn't mean to neglect you. I'll make it up to you, I promise." But I was beyond consolation. My mind was a jumbled mess of fear and anxiety, and all I could think of was that I was alone, and Hange was leaving me again. The thought sent a fresh wave of tears streaming down my face, and I felt myself slipping further into the abyss of my own mind.