Chapter 23: A Big Step
The afternoon sunlight filtered through Cielle’s small apartment window, casting soft golden hues over the cluttered countertop where a vase of pale pink peonies sat. She carefully poured fresh water into the glass container, watching as the delicate petals shifted slightly. The scent of flowers filled the air, subtle yet grounding.
Her phone buzzed on the counter, Cavier’s name lighting up the screen.
She wiped her damp hands on a kitchen towel and answered, propping the phone against a small stack of books. The screen flickered to life, revealing Cavier seated in the back of a car with black interior, city buildings flashing past the tinted windows. He wore his usual crisp, dark suit, his posture relaxed, yet there was something calculated in his expression.
“A
