Night had fully settled by the time Luka finally managed to calm Evelyn down.
The house had gone quiet that it was enough for her to breathe without feeling like her lungs were being squeezed. The air still carried the tension of what happened earlier. Even the smallest creak from the old flooring sounded louder than it should.
Evelyn sat curled up on the bed with her knees drawn close. The blanket was wrapped around her shoulders like armor, tight and protective. Her hair had come loose, messy from panic and tears. Her face looked exhausted, eyes swollen and red, lashes clumped, cheeks still damp. She stared at the wall without blinking, not because it had answers, but because it was steady enough for her to think that everything was finally over.
Luka stayed by the doorway for a momen
