Julian woke before the sun.
The hotel room was dim, the curtains drawn just enough to let in a soft gray glow. The city outside was quiet, the kind of early‑morning stillness that made everything feel suspended.
He slipped out of bed carefully so he wouldn’t wake Kya, grabbed his wallet and room key, and headed downstairs to get coffee.
The lobby smelled of roasted beans and warm pastries. He ordered two cups—one black for himself, one with a splash of cream for Kya—and waited near the window.
While the barista prepared the drinks, Julian checked his phone.
A notification flashed across the screen.
Trending: Sebastian Henry from Solace escorted out of The Marlowe House after drunken outburst.
Julian’s stomach dropped.
He tapped the article.
A blurry photo appeared—Sebastian being
