The Illusion of Betrayal

Ember POV

I woke up with a heavy headache, the kind that settled deep into my skull and refused to fade. It wasn’t from lack of sleep, but from everything that happened yesterday. 

Sleep had only come after endless hours of thinking, reliving the chaos of Ezra’s return and the storm of emotions that followed. My mind had wandered into places I didn’t want to visit, circling pain, bitterness, and questions that had no answers.

With a tired groan, I rolled lazily to the side of the bed and reached for my phone. 

My fingers felt heavy as I checked the time.

11:00 a.m.

I had...