Morning light slipped softly through the large curtains, casting a pale gold glow across the room. The storm had passed, leaving behind a calm so gentle it felt unreal compared to the chaos of the previous night.
Dianne woke first.
For a moment, she didn’t move. She simply lay there, staring at the ceiling, aware of the steady, warm presence beside her. Roy was still asleep, turned slightly toward her but careful, even in rest, to keep a respectful space between them.
His breathing was slow, calm… peaceful in a way she hadn’t seen before. Without the tension of dinner and expectation weighing on him, he looked younger—softer, almost vulnerable.
Dianne studied him quietly.
He really tried for me, she thought.
A small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth before she rolled slowly ont
