Ashlyn's POV
Early in the morning, when I opened my eyes, it took me a moment to recognize my surroundings. The warmth, the faint scent of pine and cinnamon—it was Xavier’s place.
Memories of the previous night flooded back. The scene of Nico and Jessica’s betrayal leads me to Xavier.
The way he kissed me so tenderly, even though I hadn’t kissed him back, left me with goosebumps. A shy smile spread across my face. I buried it under the covers, feeling a flutter in my chest. After a moment, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood up.
As I stepped out of the room, I froze in astonishment. The entire house was transformed. Twinkling string lights adorned the walls, casting a warm, golden glow that danced across the room. Festive garlands, woven with pinecones and tiny red b
