Chapter 7: New Horizons
(Samantha's POV)
Warm sunshine streamed through the hotel window, bathing me in golden light. For the first time since discovering Ethan's betrayal, I felt a sense of peace. The new day in Hong Harbor seemed to promise possibilities that had been absent in the Northern Territories.
I stretched languidly, savoring the comfort of the plush hotel bed. After a restful sleep, my mind felt clearer, my resolve stronger.
Reaching for my phone, I scrolled through social media. Ethan had posted another picture of October, our rescued pet dog. The caption read simply: "Missing mother."
My heart clenched at the sight of October's soulful eyes. I missed her too—her excited barks when I returned home, the way she would curl against me during thunderstorms.
I noticed E
