The click of the door locking behind them echoed softly in the quiet room.
Marian stood with her back pressed against the door, eyes squeezed shut, steadying her breath as though the air itself had turned thick and difficult to swallow. She felt Daniel’s presence before she even opened her eyes—warm, familiar, dangerous in the way only someone who once held your whole heart could be.
Even without looking, she knew exactly where he stood; her body remembered him too well. His nearness pulled at her like gravity, tugging memories to the surface—memories she had spent five years burying.
Daniel didn’t move farther than two careful steps inside.
He stood near the entryway, shoulders tight, hands shoved deep into his pockets to keep them from reaching for her. His chest rose and fell in une
