Liora adjusted the collar of her cream blouse as she stood before the mirror.
It felt... strange.
For weeks, Ashford Manor had become her entire world.
Now she was getting ready for work again.
She stared at her reflection.
The same dark hair.
The same familiar face.
Yet somehow...
She looked different.
Happier.
There was a softness in her eyes that hadn't existed before.
A quiet confidence.
She smiled unconsciously.
A knock sounded.
"Come in."
Caelan stepped inside.
Unlike her, he was already dressed for work in his usual charcoal suit.
He paused the moment he saw her.
For several seconds...
He simply stared.
Liora raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"You look beautiful."
She rolled her eyes playfully.
"You say that every day."
"Because it's true every day."
She walked to
