Chapter 49

Lila Sunlight streamed through the cracks in the curtains, casting a warm, golden glow over the room. I stirred, feeling the morning light settle over my face as I blinked my eyes open, still half-caught in the dream I’d been having. The world around me was a hazy blur, and for a moment, I could have sworn I saw Caden standing by the window, his tall figure haloed in the sunlight, watching me with that quiet, intense gaze I’d come to know. “Caden?” I murmured, my voice still thick with sleep as I tried to focus. The dream must have lingered longer than I’d realized. I felt a small, sleepy smile tugging at my lips. “Where’d you go, babe?” A voice, not Caden’s but familiar, chuckled in surprise, breaking through the fog of my mind. “Where did I go? Babe?” My heart dropped as I jolted fully awake, the remnants of my dream dissolving instantly. Blinking rapidly, I forced my eyes to adjust, and there, standing in the sunlight with a curious look on her face, was Joan. She was dressed in one