Ally's POV
I inhale deeply, the scent of blooming lavender from the garden below filling my lungs... It's a day heavy with significance, the air itself seems to pulse with anticipation. Today marks another year of survival, of enduring love's twisted ways with Nathan.
I rise from the bed, my limbs lighter than they've been in months. Dawn stirs within me, her presence a comforting warmth at the back of my mind. She's been calm lately, no longer pacing restlessly or snarling at Nathan's approach- her ease is a reflection of my tentative hope.
The anniversary banquet tonight is not just a celebration but a testament to change. I've thrown myself into the planning, a distraction from the gnawing fears that lurk beneath the surface. The grand hall will be awash with silver and blue,
