Ella sat on the edge of her bed, staring into the mug of coffee she wrapped in her hands. The room was quiet, save for the soft buzz of the heater and the faint rustling of the curtains swaying with the breeze from her slightly opened window. Her sleepless nights were taking their toll. Dark circles shadowed her tired eyes.

She sighed deeply, her thoughts muddled with the weight of everything Valen and Derek had said to her. It felt like a heavy storm brewing within, and no matter how hard she tried to steady herself, she couldn’t escape the uncertainties before her.

“Now you know the truth, so what...