Liora woke before her alarm.
Sunlight streamed through the curtains, painting soft golden lines across her bedroom floor.
For a long moment, she lay still.
Her thoughts drifted back to the night before.
The little house.
Her mother's smile.
The kiss she'd placed on Caelan's forehead.
She buried her face in her pillow.
"What is happening to me?"
A quiet laugh escaped her lips.
---
Downstairs...
The dining room was empty.
Only Mrs. Agnes stood arranging fresh lilies into a crystal vase.
She looked up and smiled.
"Good morning, dear."
"Morning."
"Mr. Ashford had to leave early."
Liora nodded.
"He had a board meeting?"
Mrs. Agnes smiled knowingly.
"He didn't say."
She placed a cup of tea in front of Liora.
"But he did leave something."
She handed over a small white enve
