CASSANDRA’S POV
The soft hiss of the stove filled the silence like a whisper too afraid to speak louder.
A breeze slipped through the open window, carrying in the scent of salt and dusk. The sky outside was bruised orange, fading into a deeper blue… beautiful, if not for the weight hanging over this house.
Then I heard the main door open.
I didn’t need to turn around to know he was there.
The door clicked shut behind him. His footsteps were steady, yet hesitant… each one echoing across the wooden floorboards, carrying a weight that spoke louder than words.
He passed behind me, the air shifting slightly with his presence.
I saw him glance in my direction.
Then he looked away.
Of course he did.
I pretended not to care. Pretended to focus on the pan in front of me, stirring slowly a
