The next morning started like any other.
Arielle opened the studio early, unlocking the glass door and stepping inside with the faint scent of salt and sea air following her. She moved through the quiet space with practiced ease, checking brushes, rearranging sketch pads, making sure the tables were ready for the children.
But she kept pausing.
It wasn’t the kind of hesitation she’d had in the past, where she braced herself for every unexpected knock on the door. It was different now.
She caught herself thinking about Kairo.
He had been at the studio almost every day lately. Not imposing. Not directing. Just… there. Helping the kids, fixing things around the center, sitting quietly when she needed space.
And every time she thought she had gotten used to his presence, something small
