As the night deepened, the soft glow of the living room lamps cast a warm hue over the space. Lyla sat curled up on the couch, a cup of chamomile tea cradled between her hands. She had tried to calm her nerves, but the events of the past few days still weighed heavily on her. Despite the internet storm beginning to settle, an uneasy feeling still lingered in her heart.
She let out a sigh, placing the cup on the coffee table, when suddenly—
Click.
The faint sound of the door unlocking sent a jolt through her. Her heart pounded as she turned her gaze toward the entrance.
The door swung open, and a tall figure stepped inside, the dim lighting casting long shadows across his frame. His dark, tailored coat clung to his broad shoulders, his hair slightly tousled as if he had just come from a long journey. His presence was imposing yet familiar, and the moment Lyla met those intense, deep-set eyes, she felt her breath hitch.
"Noah?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
