Chapter 133

The new city smelled different.

Cleaner air. Fewer sirens. More space between buildings and thoughts.

As they drove into town, boxes crammed into the backseat and trunk, she felt the quiet hum of beginning again.

Not from brokenness.

From growth.

Their new apartment overlooked a river instead of a skyline. The pace here felt slower, less urgent. For the first time in years, she didn’t feel swallowed by noise.

Unpacking took days.

They argued lightly over where the couch ...