Morning crept in with the softest light. The kind that painted the walls in pale gold and made everything look a little more possible. Violet stirred first, blinking awake to find herself wrapped in the quiet warmth of Bryan’s arms. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat against her ear was the first sound she registered. For a moment, she stayed still, memorizing it — the simple peace of belonging, of having made it through another night without the shadows of the past clawing at her mind.

She slipped out of bed carefully, letting him sleep. The air smelled faintly of rain and coffee — remnants of last night’s laughter and...