Chapter Hundred - Thirteen

The sun had begun its slow descent when Sienna finally set the last folded shirt into her wardrobe. Her room still smelled faintly of new paint and fresh linen, but with every careful touch she added, it became less like a stranger’s and more like hers.

She smoothed the sheets until they lay crisp, tucked a sprig of lavender on the bedside table, and placed the framed photograph of Her, Adrian and the kids from the day at the amusement park sat at the heart of the room — her anchor. Their smiles, caught in mid-laughter, seemed to watch her with a kind of innocent encouragement.

She sat back on the edge of her bed, brushing her palms across her jeans, and let out a slow breath. Outside, the hostel was alive with noise. Voices spilled through the hallway — laughter, footsteps, a burst of music quickly shushed by someone more responsible. The air carried a crackle of anticipation, the kind that only came with first days.

Sienna opened her door and stepped out, curiosity tugging her for