Celeste’s POVI woke up to the kind of stillness that doesn’t feel peaceful— just full. Like my body hadn’t figured out whether last night was a dream, a triumph, or a warning.My eyes were puffy from crying—happy tears, scared tears, everything mixed together. And my heart… my heart felt strangely restless, beating as if it were running ahead of me into a day I wasn’t prepared for.I pushed myself up from the bed, stretching sore muscles, and padded out into the dining room.The moment I smelled it, my heart soared. The aroma of warm bread, steamed milk, and caramelized sugar wafted from the kitchen. Auntie Eleanor’s breakfast.I froze for a second. Because for just a breath… it felt like I was eleven again, sitting at the long wooden table in the orphanage kitchen, watching her make crepes while the younger kids giggled and fought over spoons.“Good morning, Celeste,” Auntie Eleanor said from behind the counter, flipping something golden-brown in the pan.I blinked away the sting i
Last Updated : 2025-12-23 Read more