Morning sunlight filtered gently through the gaps in the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Phoebe stirred awake, instinctively reaching out to her side, only to be startled by the absence of Laura, who should have been there. Her eyes snapped open, and to her shock, the first thing she saw was Gavin.
In that instant, the terrifying memories of the previous night surged back like a tidal wave, gripping her heart with fear. She recoiled instinctively, her gaze filled with wariness and terror, locking directly onto Gavin's.
For a moment, Gavin's expression froze. The guarded and frightened look in Phoebe's eyes pierced him deeply, leaving a searing pain in his chest he couldn't ignore.
"You're awake?" His voice, magnetic as ever, carried an uncharacteristic softness, tinged wi
