_Lyla's POV_
A soft warmth surrounded me as I slowly drifted out of sleep. My body felt heavy, and my mind was clouded, still lingering somewhere between dreams and reality. I blinked a few times. My vision was slowly adjusting to the morning light streaming through the curtains.
The room was quiet, except for the faint sound of breathing beside me.
As my eyes fully opened, I turned my head and found Aaron staring at me. His blue eyes were intense, watching me in a way that sent a shiver down my spine. He wasn’t smiling. He wasn’t speaking. He was just… staring.
A strange feeling settled in my chest. My heart pounded a little faster.
I swallowed. My voice was hoarse from sleep. “Aaron?”
He didn’t respond right away. His gaze remained locked on mine, unreadable and deep. Then, after a
