By the time the sky began to darken, the party had softened and thinned.The kind of quiet that comes after laughter has peaked and people begin to drift away in pairs and small groups, leaving behind empty glasses, muted music, and conversations that no longer need to be loud to be heard.
The beach house felt different now.
Earlier, it had been bright and full—voices overlapping, music pulsing, the air alive with celebration. Now, lanterns glowed along the deck and beach, their warm light flickering against the sand. The ocean rolled steadily in the distance, calm but powerful, its rhythm grounding in a way the house never was and some guests had already left.
A few lingered near the fire pit,others gathered on the deck, wrapped in shawls, laughter softer now and more intimate. Camilla
