Chapter 10: Clearing Things

Chloe's Point of View

The soft morning light filtered through the grand curtains of the master suite and painted the room in soft, gold hues. I stirred awake, heavy and drained from all that had happened the previous night. My weight settled deep in my muscles, and every inch of me protested the demands put on it. The comfort of the luxurious bed hit me like a cruel kind of irony against the reality of my situation.

As I shifted slightly, the warmth of Jonathan beside me became clear. He lay still, asleep, his breathing steady and calm. The harshness of the previous night felt like a distant storm, leaving behind a silent aftermath. I lay there, struggling with the numbness that had become my shield.