opening to a quiet courtyard, low furniture in neutral colors, not a speck of clutt

nd the mug of warm water Zeyan had offered. She hadn't

e studied her carefully-not in a way that pried, but with the compose

etting his cup down. "Your bag is in the room. If you'd

en, but it ling

. "You're sayin

ession unchanged. "I'm s

ward the window. The sunlight outside was getting st

asked quietly, s

how l

a whisper. "A day. Maybe two. I won't be a bother.

ly nodded once. "The house

ave, his steps ste

nged into one of the oversized T-shirts a house staff member had brought to her room. It felt strange being

staring at the ceiling, repl

The way no one tried to s

e in. No missed calls. And she wasn't sure w

wooden floor, a glass of water in her hand, watc

pen. Footsteps followed-co

the living room, dressed in charcoal

the backrest of a nearby chair, and sat on

oice steady, "wha

he words hit har

n?" she

You haven't contacted anyone. Not even your bes

of her neck rise. "How do you k

ed toward the liquor cart near the wal

calm, almost casual. "Because I'd kno

so plainly, without arrogance.

ing the glass a little too tightly. "

uiet for

uan. I knew you left upset.

her lips dry. "And

me things are clear

and something settled between them-not

to disappear,

"And you came to

utside, the sky dimmed slightly, a sh

ong as you want. But don't con

him, unsure

added, "If you are really looking for a

m both confuse

traight like he was just

like thunder in t

froze.

t flinch. "

t w

new beginning. You don't owe anyone an explanation-not even me. But if you want to get up fro

move. She

e untouched glass in he

and walked away l