The morning sun over Oakhaven rose in a brilliant flash of gold, painting the quiet surface of the Atlantic Ocean in hues of pink and soft amber. A gentle breeze blew through the tall pine trees around the sea-gray cottage, carrying the sharp, clean smell of wild saltwater and damp morning earth.
Inside the quiet master bedroom on the second floor, sunlight streamed through the white lace curtains, casting soft patterns across the unmade wooden bed.
Evelyn stirred slowly, her dark lashes fluttering open. She reached out her arm across the crisp white linen sheets, expecting to feel the familiar, comforting warmth of Adrian’s chest.
Her hand met only cool, empty fabric.
Evelyn sat up, pushing her dark waves back from her face. A sudden, instinctual knot tightened in her chest–a lingerin
