The scent of roses and lilies lingered faintly on Elara's clothes as she guided Seraphine from hospital to the narrow hallway of her apartment.
Afternoon light poured through the windows, soft and golden, warming the hardwood floors as if the world outside dared not intrude upon the fragile calm within.
"You okay?" Elara asked, her voice a low murmur as she unlocked the door.
Seraphine nodded, though her eyes were distant, like she was still somewhere else—lost between dreams and memories that didn’t quite belong to this life.
The door creaked open. The flower shop, quiet and nestled beneath her apartment, gave off its usual perfume—soothing, familiar. Elara helped her inside, guiding her gently to the worn couch near the window.
"You really scared me this time, Ser," Elara muttered,
