Nora’s POV

I woke up before the alarm and lay still for a few minutes, letting the quiet of the room settle through my head. Today was going to be my first day at work, after losing my job at the other company I worked for over some issues my position wasn't connected to in any way.

I sat up, pushed the covers aside, and walked barefoot to the kitchen. The coffee maker took longer than I wanted. I stood at the counter while it finished, then poured a cup and ate a simple breakfast of toast and eggs at the small table by the window. It was nothing special—just...