The pale morning light seeped through the gaps in Adrian’s blinds, casting long, skeletal shadows across his otherwise comfortably furnished living room. Dust motes danced in the weak rays, disturbed by the quiet movements within the apartment. Evelyn sat curled on the very edge of Adrian’s plush leather couch, her posture rigid, as if bracing herself for an invisible blow.
A steaming mug of strong black coffee sat untouched in her hands, its warmth failing to penetrate the icy knot of anxiety in her chest. The remnants of a restless night lingered in the air, a silent testament to the turmoil that had kept them all awake.
Vinni lay curled in Adrian’s oversized armchair nearby, wrapped cocoon-like in a soft, knitted throw blanket. Her breathing was deep and even, the exhaustion of the p
