Chapter 245

Lily woke up slow, her whole body sore like every nerve had been pulled tight and then let go too fast. She blinked at the morning light slipping through the curtains. The room felt warm and too familiar. For a second she wondered if she had dreamed the last seven years. The same house. The same room. Their wedding photos still hanging on the wall. The same color on the walls, the same soft smell she used to wake up to. She swallowed hard. It felt like time had folded itself. But then she turned her head. That was the difference. David was sleeping beside her. His arm heavy on her waist, holding her like he was scared she’d disappear again. His breathing deep and steady. He looked younger when he slept, softer, nothing like the man who had hurt her. She closed her eyes in frustration. Even now, after everything, she still couldn’t think straight when he touched her. Last night she had lost her mind. She knew it. She didn’t regret it, but she knew she wasn’t thinking with her head. She