The next morning arrived like a soft promise. Violet awoke to sunlight spilling across the apartment floor, dust motes dancing lazily in its golden streams. The city outside stirred with its usual rhythm, but inside, the apartment felt suspended in a gentle calm. It was the kind of calm that didn’t press against her chest, didn’t demand she stay vigilant, and didn’t whisper reminders of past failures. She stretched, savoring the ease that had settled into her bones.

Bryan was already awake, sitting cross-legged on the sofa, a laptop balanced on his knees. He looked up as she entered the living room, a half smile forming when he noticed her...