-Raya-
The tires crunched softly against the gravel as Alec pulled into the driveway, headlights briefly sweeping across the porch before fading into the quiet of the evening. The house glowed from the inside, warm light spilling from the kitchen windows and casting soft golden patterns on the front lawn. It was one of those sights I was learning to treasure—a kind of stillness you didn’t notice until you lived in it long enough to crave it.
Alec parked in his usual spot without a word. We both got out, the air carrying a subtle bite now that the sun had long since set. I hugged my hoodie closer around myself, following a step behind him up to the front door.
Inside, the familiar scent of food and laundry welcomed us like a ritual. The sound of dishes clinking, Carla humming from the ki
