POV: Alexander

Saturday mornings in this house were usually quiet, too quiet. No staff clattering in the kitchen, no phone calls from Victor, no board meetings pulling me out the door. But today, the silence felt heavier, like the air itself was holding its breath.

When I woke, Megan was still asleep beside me, her hair scattered over the pillow, her breathing even. For a moment, I let myself just look at her. I didn’t know why I was doing it—maybe because I knew time wasn’t something ...