Sebastian's POV I stirred on the couch, my body stiff from sleeping in a position that offered no comfort. A dull ache ran through my shoulder, and I groaned softly as I pushed myself upright, pressing my palm against the sore spot. For a moment, I just sat there. The room felt too quiet. Too empty. My eyes moved around slowly, searching without thinking, hoping without admitting it. But she wasn’t there. Margaret hadn’t come back. A tight feeling settled in my chest again, the same one that had been there all night. I had called her more times than I could count, each attempt ending the same way. No connection. No response. Just silence that grew heavier with every passing hour. I had tried calling Julie too, but all to no avail, absolutely nothing. At some point, the thought ha

