Chapter Twenty-One: Hearts Unlocked
The morning sun poured through the curtains, painting Evan’s room in soft gold. He woke slowly, still wrapped in the warmth of Lila beside him. For the first time in weeks, there was no alarm, no schedule, no immediate responsibility pressing on him—just a rare day of stillness. He turned to look at her. She slept on her side, one arm tucked under her head, the other resting lightly on his chest. Her brown hair spilled over the pillow in soft waves. Evan smiled softly. Moments like this reminded him why he fought so hard to protect himself, to heal, and to create a life worth living. “Morning,” he whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Mmm… morning,” she murmured, eyes still closed. “Stay.” He chuckled quietly and obeyed, wrapping an arm around her. For a while, they simp
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