The Eve Before

Chapter 4

Evelyn stirred, warmth cocooning her in unfamiliar comfort. For a moment, her mind floated in that hazy space between dreams and reality. The smell of baked bread still lingered faintly in the air. Her limbs felt heavy, sore, but no longer numb.

Then the throb in her head reminded her—she wasn’t home.

Her eyes fluttered open.

The room was dimly lit by early morning grayness sneaking through a small frosted window. Her gaze swept across wooden walls and a low-burning stove before landing on Jacob, seated quietly by a bench, lacing up worn boots.

She sat up quickly, the blanket falling from her shoulders. “Good morning,” she said, voice raspy.

Jacob didn’t look at her right away. He only nodded once in acknowledgment.

The silence between them thickened, not tense—just shy, awkward, like they didn’t know how to fill it.

He stood, brushing flour from his sleeve. “I’m going now,” he said without looking at her. “You’re welcome to follow. If you want.”

She blinked. “Going where?”

“My house. Obviously,” he replied, finally meeting her eyes—just for a second.

She nodded slowly. “I would like that i am still trying to make sense of everything "

He looked at her strangely. She definitely wasn’t from these parts—he’d never seen a dress like that, or shoes with heels. And what was that strange place she mentioned?

Jacob frowned slightly. Whatever it was, he’d get to know in due time. But right now, she needed a bath, proper rest, and maybe a warm meal.

And he knew just the person to help.