Hardin's POV

I slowly opened my eyes, greeted by the gentle rays of the morning sun streaming through the curtains. As my gaze shifted, a smile tugged at the corners of my lips. There, nestled in my embrace, lay Freda, peacefully lost in the realm of dreams.

In the aftermath of the incident with Jim, I had insisted that Freda stay with me in my room. I wanted to shield her from the painful memories, to create a haven where she could find solace. And seeing her sleeping so peacefully, reassured me that I had made the right decision.

I took a moment to simply admire her, captivated by the...