The morning breeze was cool, laced with the scent of sea salt and honeyed flowers. Natalie sat on the stone ledge just outside the estate garden, barefoot, her wrap slipping from one shoulder. The sky was still pale with morning light, the world slow to wake—except for Norwan.

He stood behind her, arms loose around her waist, chin resting lightly on her shoulder. They weren’t speaking, not really. Just… being.

There was something sacred in that quiet. A peace she hadn’t expected to find so soon.

“I forgot what this felt like,” he murmured, breath warm against her skin. “Just… existing with you.”

“You never really existed with me,” she...