The morning felt quiet in a way that made me believe we might escape attention again. Sunlight fell over the villa with gentle warmth, painting the stone floors gold. Malia set breakfast out on the outdoor table, and Keoni brought bowls of cut fruit while humming a song that sounded like waves turned into music. I sat across from Chase, sipping juice slowly.
For a brief hour, it felt like the world was only this. The sea, the palms, the bright sky, the soft smell of flowers. No noise. No questions. No eyes.
Keoni walked down to the beach after breakfast, carrying a tray for another villa further down the cliff. I watched him go, envying the way his life seemed to move without weight on his shoulders.
But the moment of peace broke when I saw the manager hurry up the stairs from the path.
