His velvet obsession
It wasn't just a few shelves; it was a mezzanine of books, soaring toward the high ceiling.
The Collection: Thousands of spines—first editions, leather-bound classics, and modern journals—all organized by a system I knew she’d recognize.
The Reading Nook: A deep, recessed window seat upholstered in forest-green leather, positioned so the light hits the pages perfectly at noon, even if the world outside is screaming.
The scent of old paper and vanilla filled the space, a stark contrast to the smell of gunpowder still clinging to my coat.
She was surprised, I could see it in the way her fingers twitched toward a spine, but the anger was still there, simmering beneath the surface. She hated