SILAS

Morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the bedroom.

I had been awake for some time. Maya was still asleep beside me, curled beneath the sheets with her hair spread across the pillow. The peaceful expression on her face was a sharp contrast to the woman who spent most of her waking hours arguing with me, challenging every decision I made, and pretending she wasn't affected by anything.

Sleep was the only time she stopped fighting.

I reached out and gently ran my fingers through her hair. She stirred almost immediately, her brows pulling together before her eyes slowly opened. For a few seconds, she...