I didn't sleep right away.
After Ethan left the room quietly, the house settled into its late-night stillness. My body stayed awake. It wasn't restless or afraid.
Just… alert. Like something in me knew the story wasn't done with me yet.
The bed felt too soft for the thoughts in my head. Aunt Eleanor's words replayed without permission. Marcus's name sat heavily in my chest.
The past pressed against the present like it was testing how strong my new walls really were.
I turned on my side. The silk sheets whispered against my skin.
And for a moment, I hated how safe everything felt—because safety had always been temporary in my life. I was just starting to drift when I heard it.
A soft knock. It wasn't loud or demanding.
I sat up slowly. Then came another knock.
"Mira?" Ethan's voice came through the door. Low and Controlled. "Are you awake?"
My heart kicked. "Yes," I said. "Come in."
