The rays of sunlight pierced through the half-open window, casting golden lines across Asher’s face. He groaned, rolling onto his stomach to escape the glare, but a wave of nausea surged through him like punishment. His head throbbed as he sat up, rubbing his temple with one hand while the other blindly reached for the jug of water on the nightstand.
He poured the water into a glass, bringing it to his lips, but froze mid-sip.
A small figure.
Huddled in the corner.
The glass slipped from his hand and shattered on the floor.
The sharp crack jolted the girl awake. She flinched violently, eyes wide and glossy as they darted around the room in a frantic search for safety. Her gaze landed on him, and that was all it took. Her chin trembled, her breath hitched, and she shrank further into h
