Elizabeth’s POV

Saturday morning felt unusually calm. The kind of quiet that made you believe the world had finally decided to give you a break.

I woke up without dread pressing against my chest. The sun was soft, slipping gently through my curtains. I made coffee, opened my window, and for a while, just sat there listening to the sound of the city waking up.

It felt almost normal.

I thought of Sebastian — of the night we’d spent together. The way he’d held me like ...