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Chapter 24: Morning

Author: Willow's Ink
last update Last Updated: 2025-06-13 10:23:50
Morning crept in slowly through the half-drawn curtains, soft light edging across the hardwood floors of Damian’s apartment. Devon had barely slept, slumped awkwardly in the accent chair by the bookshelf. He shifted every now and then, spine stiff and neck sore, blinking against the weight behind his eyes.

Across the room, Annabelle was curled on the couch beneath a throw blanket, one arm tucked under her cheek. Her breathing was steady, but even in sleep, her brow was drawn, as though grief had found a permanent place there.

Devon sat forward, elbows on knees. His palms pressed together, thumbs tapping absently. He hadn’t meant to stay the night. But after that long talk, after the slow, quiet hours spent talking and not talking… there hadn’t seemed to be a good moment to leave. She hadn’t asked him to. She hadn’t needed to.

And really, how could he?

She was all that was left now. The last thread tying everything together.

A buzz from his pocket broke the stillness. Devon slipped
Willow's Ink

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