Chapter 167

Author’s POV. Later, once the bedroom was a crime scene of discarded blankets and very satisfied bodies, Sofia slipped out from between them with a soft smile. She tiptoed past Nikolai’s arm—he was starfished across the bed like he’d fought in a war and barely made it. Nial mumbled something about “peaches” in his sleep (she wasn’t asking), and Nadei let out a contented sigh, flipping over to steal her pillow. The traitor. She padded quietly to the window, tugging the curtains open just a little. Morning sunlight poured in like honey, soft and golden, catching on the scattered chaos of their lives. Half-finished drawings from Jade. Lorelai’s pink unicorn slippers. A little handmade bracelet she hadn’t taken off since Jade had proudly given it to her. Her eyes softened. But then they drifted—just a bit farther. To the picture tucked in the frame of the mirror. A candid one. Blurry. Taken at the café weeks ago when she wasn’t looking. Arsen. Holding Alexei. Smiling at her like she was th