The next morning, Marian woke slowly, drifting up from sleep the way one drifts toward the surface of warm water—unhurried, unafraid. For a moment, she didn’t move. She simply breathed, taking in the quiet, the unfamiliar comfort of not feeling alone.
Then she opened her eyes.
The first thing she saw was Daniel.
He was already awake, propped slightly on one elbow, his head resting in his hand as he watched her with an expression so soft it stole her breath. His eyes traced her face as if he were memorizing her all over again, afraid she might disappear if he blinked too long.
“Good morning, love,” he murmured, voice still rough with sleep. “Did you have a good night’s sleep?”
Marian felt heat rush to her cheeks. She smiled shyly, suddenly aware of how exposed she felt under his gaze—n
