I didn’t get much sleep that night. Asher twisted and turned, clearly restless, his soft murmurs punctuating the stillness of the dark room. He kept getting up, wandering aimlessly for a few moments before collapsing back onto the bed, unable to find solace. By 4 AM, I’d reached my breaking point; I quietly slipped out of bed, seeking the solace of the morning air.
Descending the stairs, the house was shrouded in a heavy silence, and I was surprised to find the kitchen unoccupied. Nicole wasn’t there yet—a blessing, really, as I craved a moment of solitude, away from conversation and questions.
I carried my steaming mug of coffee out to the patio, where the cool morning breeze brushed against my skin. Settling into my usual chair, I opened the drawer of the table, retrieving my pack of c
