The early morning light crept into the room, casting a faint glow on the walls as I sat up in bed. My body ached with the heaviness of lingering sleep, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to lie there for long. Lately, mornings had become the only time I felt like I had any semblance of control, the only time I could escape—if only for a little while. As I shifted in bed, the sheets rustling around me, I felt Faruk stir beside me.
I sighed. The last thing I wanted was to deal with him this morning. I had gotten used to his constant presence, the way he hovered like a shadow, never too far but always silent. But today, I wanted space. I needed space. I pushed the covers aside, quietly sliding out of bed and heading to the huge walk-in closet where I kept my clothes.
As I pulled on a pair of leg
