The night had stretched itself thin over the city, cloaking the streets in velvet shadows. Olivia sat by the tall window in her room, her gaze lost in the glittering lights far below. The hum of the city seemed distant, almost unreal, like a dream she wasn’t entirely part of. Beside her on the couch, a half-read book lay abandoned, its words failing to compete with the storm of thoughts crowding her mind.
Lucas had been quieter since their return from the tense confrontation at Ellison’s boutique. He masked it well, but Olivia could see it — the stiffness in his jaw, the way his eyes lingered on her longer than usual, like he was trying to reassure himself she was truly there, truly safe. And though she longed to melt into his arms and let him shoulder her fears, Olivia felt a prickling u
