The moment I stepped into my resident, I felt it.
Her.
Not her presence. Her emotions.
Hurt. Confusion. A thin edge of fear wrapped tightly around something softer that made my chest ache. Guilt crawled up my spine instantly. I had been avoiding this place for days, avoiding the way it reminded me of how badly I was handling everything.
I headed toward the dining hall, already knowing she wouldn’t be there. By this hour, she would usually be upstairs, alone, probably staring out the window again.
Then I heard laughter.
My steps slowed.
It wasn’t loud. Just a soft sound, light and unexpected, floating through the open doors of the dining area. My breath caught before I could stop it.
I stood at the entrance.
There she was.
Elara sat at the table with Ava, her face turned slightly
