Morning came slow.
I had barely slept.
Between breaking the system, Alexis' test results, and Mark's cryptic message, my mind had refused to shut off. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the glowing notification of my new skill, felt the ghost of Alexis' lips against mine, and heard Mark's words echo in my skull.
Let me know when you want the truth.
I wasn't ready for that conversation.
Not yet.
I exhaled, rubbing my eyes as I sat up. The faint scent of coffee drifted from the kitchen, a small comfort in an otherwise tangled mess of thoughts.
For now, breakfast. Then I'd figure out what came next.
The kitchen was alive with the usual morning chaos.
Sienna was at the counter, pouring coffee, her expression tired but focused. Alexis sat cross-legged on a stool, scrolling through her phone while occasionally stealing bites from a croissant. Camille was leaning against the table, still half-asleep, absentmindedly spinning a spoon between her fingers.
It was normal.
