ARIA
I woke up slowly, wrapped in warmth and comfort. I stirred softly, sinking deeper into the bed before stretching my arms above my head. The mattress felt too soft and so wide, nothing like mine. I smiled to myself and let out a small, sleepy sound as I stretched again. My body relaxed in a way it rarely did due to stress. “This must be a dream,” I murmured, my lips curving upward as I dug my fingers into the sheet. It felt so good. “This doesn't feel real,” I added quietly.
I opened my eyes, and the ceiling above me was unfamiliar.
I blinked once. Then twice. I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand and sat up slightly. “This is real,” I whispered. My heart skipped. “Where am I?”
I turned my head to the right, confusion tightening in my chest, and that was when I saw a framed pho
