The winter morning was unusually still, the kind of quiet that felt heavy with possibility. Lena stood by the kitchen window, staring out at the frost-covered trees and the soft trails left by animals in the snow. The house was quiet; even her mom had stepped out for last-minute Christmas errands, leaving Lena alone with her thoughts.
She held a mug of tea between her hands, the warmth grounding her as she replayed the last few days. Each conversation with Ryder, Ryker, and River had left her feeling both comforted and conflicted. They all had their own unique way of loving her, of making her feel seen.
But now, it was her turn to do the hard part: figure out what she wanted.
Her phone vibrated on the counter, pulling her out of her thoughts. She set her mug down and picked it up, her b
