"I'll take a nap," I muttered, burying my face into the pillow. Despite being in a different room from Jade's, the pillow carried the faint but distinct scent of her, apples and roses, an odd yet strangely alluring fragrance. I pressed my face deeper, inhaling her scent audibly. A jolt of realization pulled me back when the door closed, signaling Ezra's departure for a shower in the spare bathroom. I clicked my tongue in self-reproach, slamming my face back into the soft pillow with a soft growl.
What was I doing? Why was I indulging in the act of inhaling her scent so deeply? The internal conflict intensified as questions swirled in my mind. Why did I feel this strange urge to be kind to her? Why did I want to be around her? My objective had always been clear—to stay away from her at all
