Elena's POV
The next morning, sunlight streamed gently through the curtains. For the first time in what felt like forever, I woke up without dread knotting my stomach.
Anna was safe.
And so was I—wrapped in the quiet warmth of Julian's arms.
He was still asleep beside me, one hand resting over mine like he needed that contact even in his dreams. I watched his chest rise and fall—steady, calm.
This man—who had risked everything to protect me, to fight beside me—was mine. And I had chosen him.
I slipped out of bed and moved to the window. The garden outside was blooming. I let myself breathe it in—the peace, the quiet, the simple beauty of stillness.
Julian stirred behind me.
"You okay?"
I turned, smiling softly. "More than okay."
He sat up, eyes narrowing with sleep. "That's a first."
I laughed and walked back to the bed, sitting beside him.
"Anna's alive. Safe. You and I—we're not pretending anymore. I think I'm allowed a moment to feel light."
