LAVENDER POV
I don’t breathe properly until she’s gone. Even then, the air feels thin, like the estate itself is holding its breath with me, waiting to see if I will shatter now that Laura Robinson’s shadow has passed through and scorched everything it touched. My hands are shaking.
I hadn’t noticed until Alex’s palm closes gently around my wrist, warm and grounding, pulling me back into my body. I’m still standing beneath the jacaranda tree, petals scattered at my feet like something delicate has been broken without apology.
“Lavender,” he says softly. Not commanding, not sharp, just… worried. I blink at him, my vision blurring. “I’m fine.” The lie sounds brittle even to my own ears.
He doesn’t argue. He never does when he’s trying not to scare me. Instead, he guides me toward the ben
