The morning sun slowly climbed above the trees surrounding the abandoned chapel.
Golden light spilled through the broken stained-glass windows, painting the cracked stone floor in shades of amber, blue, and crimson.
For a brief moment...
Everything looked peaceful.
Almost beautiful.
As though the past had finally stopped chasing them.
But peace, Lily had learned, never stayed for long.
She stood near the chapel entrance, watching the forest awaken.
Birdsong echoed through the trees.
Mist floated above the damp ground.
Nature continued exactly as it always had.
Unaffected by secrets.
Unaffected by grief.
Unaffected by people.
She envied that.
Behind her, Lucas quietly approached, carrying two steaming cups of coffee he had managed to make using an old camping stove Margaret h
