Ethan's POV
I woke up earlier than usual. The sky outside was still dark, but there was a thin, pale line of blue spreading slowly at the edge of the horizon. The air felt cold, and the whole room was quiet—too quiet, the kind of quiet where you could hear your own breathing.
Elle was still asleep beside me, curled up under the blankets. Her hair was messy, falling across her cheek, and she looked so peaceful. Her breathing was soft, and her lips were slightly parted. But I knew she was tired from last night’s dinner. She had tried to hide it, smiling the whole time, keeping her head high, but I noticed the way her shoulders dropped when we got back.
I didn’t want to wake her. I moved slowly, careful not to make the bed creak, and slid out from under the blankets. The floor was cold un
