The morning sunlight spilled into our small apartment, and for the first time, it didn’t feel like a cage—it felt like a fresh start. Jason and I moved through the space with ease, preparing breakfast together, the simple routine oddly comforting. The clatter of pans and the smell of coffee made our little apartment feel more like home with each passing day.
“I still can’t believe we’re actually doing this,” I said, scrambling eggs while stealing glances at Jason.
He leaned against the counter, sipping his coffee, smirk tugging at his lips. “Doing what? Building an empire from scratch?”
I rolled my eyes. “Not an empire, just… life. Independent life.”
He grinned. “Same thing. Just with fewer suits and more takeout.”
⸻
The weeks that followed were a whirlwind. Jason’s job at the auto r
