ARIELLE’S POV
I groggily opened my eyes, the early morning light filtering through the curtains. Blinking a few times to clear the sleep from my vision, I slowly sat up in bed, my gaze drifting to the empty space beside me. The realization struck me suddenly, causing my heart to skip a beat. Aiden and Derek were nowhere to be found.
Confusion swept over me as I swung my legs over the side of the bed, my bare feet touching the cool wooden floor. I padded across the room, my steps tentative, as I made my way downstairs. The faint aroma of coffee and something delicious wafted through the air, drawing me closer to the kitchen.
As I entered the bright, inviting space, I found Sarah standing by the stove, her back to me as she expertly flipped pancakes. “Good morning, sleepyhead,” she called
