The house was quiet in a way that felt far too heavy. It wasn’t a peaceful silence—it was a crowded one, full of unspoken thoughts and memories that refused to stay buried.
Amelia sat perfectly still, her hands folded loosely in her lap, her eyes drifting toward the door every few seconds. She was dressed and ready, but something inside her felt unsettled, as if the night were asking her to pause before she moved forward into her future with Leo.
Across from her, Eli sat in a way that wasn't normal. Her usually vibrant energy had vanished, replaced by a tense, distant gaze. She looked as though she had drifted far away from the room. Iris stood near the doorway, keys gripped tightly in her hand, watching Eli with a quiet, growing concern.
Then Eli spoke.
Her voice was soft and britt
