Clarence’s POV

I was only heading to the hallway to check in on her. Sophie had said she was running a bath, and though I trusted she was fine, something in me just wanted to be sure. Maybe it was the silence. Or perhaps it was how she'd looked at dinner. Braver than before, but still guarded, like she was holding everything in with both hands.

I didn’t expect to see her stumble out of the bathroom in a white robe, cheeks flushed and hair damp, ...