The garden was too quiet once he left. His scent still lingered in the air, that sharp mix of pine and smoke, clinging to me like it had soaked into my skin. I hated that I missed it the moment it began to fade.
I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to slow my breathing. If anyone looked out here now, they’d think I was calm, but inside my chest felt like it was coming apart thread by thread.
“Rain?”
I turned at the soft call of my name. Clara stood at the edge of the terrace, her hands clasped nervously in front of her apron. She glanced around the dark hedges as if afraid of being caught outside with me.
“There you are,” she said, her voice hushed. “I was told to keep an eye on you.”
Of course she had been.
I forced a small smile. “I’m fine. Just needed some air.”
Clara nodded,
