(Rhea's POV)
I always thought my little apartment in the heart of Elaria was the safest place in the world. A simple room on the sixth floor, a window looking out over the busy street, shelves full of oil paints, and the smell of canvas that kept me company every night. But this morning, when I stepped back into that space, that feeling of safety felt fragile — like cracked paint on an old wall, just waiting to fall away.
The door clicked shut behind me. I froze, staring at my tiny sofa, the messy coffee table, the stacks of books and sketches in the corner. Everything looked the same. That was the problem — I’d changed.
I leaned my weight against the door and shut my eyes. Breathing felt heavy, like someone had tied my chest. Kaelan’s words kept echoing in my head, like a sound that wo
