EMILIA’S POV

The sound of running water filled the bathroom, steady and soothing—at first.

I stood under the spray, my palms flat against the cold tile, eyes closed, trying to breathe. The steam rose around me like a ghost, curling against my skin. For a few seconds, it was the only thing keeping me from falling apart.

I wanted to scrub everything away—the anger, the tears, the pain that still lingered after Maximus walked out. But the moment the hot water touched my skin, a sharp shiver crawled up my spine.

It started slow—just a faint tremble. Then, all at once, heat slammed into me like a wave.

My body...