The villa felt too quiet once the front door clicked shut behind Claudia.
Not the comforting kind of quiet. The type that pressed in on Lily’s ears and wrapped around her throat until she gasped for air.
She stood in the centre of the living room, arms folded tight around herself, staring down at the pale stone tiles beneath her feet. They were smooth and pristine, nothing like the scuffed floors of the cheap motel.
Too pale.
Eyes too dark.
A mouth caught somewhere between fear and resolve.
She didn’t recognise herself anymore — and somehow, that terrified her more than familiarity ever had.
Behind her, Adam leaned against the kitchen doorway, one shoulder braced against the frame. He hadn’t moved since Claudia left. He hadn’t filled the space with unnecessary noise or questions. He
