Chapter 81

The next week passed like a calm river. After everything that had happened with Vivian, the chaos, the hurtful headlines, and Logan’s tense meetings, it finally felt like we could breathe again. Each morning, I woke up to sunlight slipping through the curtains. Logan left kisses on my cheek before heading to work, and Lily crawled into my bed, warm and chatty. I didn’t have nightmares that week. No whispers in my mind telling me I wasn’t enough. I spent my time drawing, reorganizing the kitchen, and planning healthy meals. It felt like healing. Like the world had hit “pause,” and for once, I wasn’t running to catch up. On Friday, I drove Lily to the martial arts center tucked between a bakery and a small music store. The building was quiet, peaceful even. The polished wooden floors and white walls reminded me of an art studio. A soft scent of incense hung in the air. Mr. Han greeted us at the door. He was tall, with a quiet strength in his stance. His black uniform was pressed, and his