The sky outside was a deep blue canvas, stars slowly beginning to blink into view. A soft instrumental tune played in the background while the city’s lights flickered far below the tall windows of the penthouse. Emily sat curled up on the couch, her knees tucked under her and a warm mug of chamomile tea in her hands. She looked calm on the outside—but her fingers tightened around the ceramic whenever she thought of stepping outside again.
Oliver walked in quietly from the study, holding his phone and wearing that thoughtful, unsure look she’d come to recognize over the past few weeks.
“Em,” he began gently, “can we talk for a second?”
Her eyes flicked up, cautious but open. “Of course.”
He sat beside her, one arm resting along the back of the couch. His presence was grounding, familiar
