POV: Violet
Morning sunlight always felt crueler after a sleepless night.
I stood in the kitchen, kettle hissing softly, as I stared at the couch where Ryan still slept. His long frame barely fit, one arm draped over his face, dark hair mussed, chest rising and falling steadily.
It was the most unguarded I’d seen him in years. No sharp edges, no shadows. Just… a man.
My man.
Except he wasn’t. Not anymore.
I turned back to the kettle, trying to drown the ache in tea leaves and boiling water. My grandmother’s voice echoed in my head: Love is a choice, Violet. And choices have consequences.
I chose to let him stay. And now, the consequence was sitting in my living room, a storm waiting to wake.
The knock at the door startled me so hard I nearly dropped the mug.
Three firm raps. Too e
