Adrian's POVI stood in the doorway, watching her.Emma. I had to keep thinking of her as Emma. Not Elara. Never Elara.She sat by the window in the wooden rocking chair, wrapped in a soft blue blanket, watching the birds outside. A cardinal landed on the feeder, and she tilted her head slightly, observing it."Adrian," she said without turning around. Her voice was flat. Distant. "The red bird is back."Not excited. Not joyful. Just... stating a fact."I see it," I said, walking over to stand behind her chair. I rested my hand on her shoulder, and after a moment's hesitation, she reached up to pat it briefly before pulling her hand away.Always that hesitation. Always that distance.Six weeks, and she still hadn't fully relaxed around me."Cardinals mate for life," I said. "Romantic, isn't it?""Is it?" She looked up at me, her eyes guarded. Watchful. "Or is it just instinct? Biology. Not really a choice."I forced a smile, but she'd already turned back to the window. That blank, car
最終更新日 : 2025-10-30 続きを読む