ALESSA'S POV

I was still in disbelief. Even after a full night’s rest, my mind refused to let the previous day go.

Waking up to this new normal felt... unreal.

Room to kitchen, then back to my room, the cycle on repeat. I wasn’t trying to isolate myself. I just needed a break. A real one. After all, I still saw everyone in the mornings and at night. That had to count for something, right?

After breakfast, where Michael maintained his usual habit of pretending I didn’t exist. I stayed ...