It was late morning by the time sunlight filtered through Carolina’s cozy apartment in Brooklyn, casting golden streaks across the hardwood floor. Birds chirped softly beyond the windowpanes, and the smell of lavender-scented cleaning spray lingered in the air.
Carolina was already up, dressed in leggings and an oversized tee, her hair twisted into a messy bun. She hummed absently as she moved around the living room, straightening magazines, fluffing the couch pillows, and occasionally glancing toward the closed guest room door where Katherine still slept.
Movie night had ended in a tangle of blankets, popcorn bowls, and two half-empty wine glasses. The television had long gone dark, but the memory of their conversation still echoed in Carolina’s mind—Katherine’s worry, her confusion, th
