Chapter Sixty‑Six: Just Like Us
Bright clear sunlight flooded the workroom from end to end when they arrived that morning. It caught every raised grain and smooth curve turning ordinary surfaces into glowing patterns of light and shadow. The air felt fresh and warm carrying the scent of river water and new grass from the yard outside. Elias and Mara moved through the familiar space with a lightness that had not been there months before. Every motion held the quiet certainty of people who know exactly where they stand and with whom.
They were preparing to apply the final finish to the large sideboard they had built together. This was the stage where careful work truly showed. Every coat had to be thin and even every stroke following the natural flow of the wood. It required patience and a
