Chapter 55

• As the first light of dawn filtered through the curtains, I found myself wrapped in the comforting embrace of Mr. Anderson, his steady breaths a soothing rhythm against my skin. For a fleeting moment, I allowed myself to revel in the warmth of his presence, the lines between past and present blurred in the soft glow of morning.
• But as consciousness fully returned, so too did the weight of reality. Gently extricating myself from his arms, I silently slipped out of bed, the cool touch of the hardwood floor a sharp contrast to the warmth I left behind. With practiced ease, I dressed myself, each movement calculated and deliberate.
• As I stood at the edge of the bed, my gaze lingered on Mr. Anderson's sleeping form, a tangle of emotions swirling within me. Despite the tumultuous history that bound us together, a part of me couldn't help but feel a pang of tenderness towards him. But the thought of my son waiting for me at home spurred me into action, a reminder of the life I had left behind.