As Lireal arrived home, she carried the jacket with her, still unable to shake off the feeling of unease. Placing it gently on a nearby chair in her bedroom, she was greeted warmly by her aunt Nova.
"Lireal, my dear, how was your day?" Aunt Nova asked, concern etched in her voice.
Lireal forced a smile, not wanting to burden her aunt with her own worries. "It was fine, Auntie. Just the usual," she replied, before excusing herself to the bathroom.
Alone in front of the mirror, Lireal stared at her reflection, her mind racing with possibilities. The way the man from the night before had looked at her, the way he had smelled...it was as if they were destined to be together. She couldn't shake the memory from her mind, no matter how hard she tried.
Steeling herself, she turned on the showe
