Chapter 78

• The morning sun, a warm golden orb rising above the ocean, painted the bedroom in hues of apricot and rose. Cleo awoke to the gentle rhythm of the waves, the sound a comforting lullaby that had become the soundtrack to her new life. Rowan was already awake, his arm draped casually across her waist, his breath warm against her skin. The simple act of waking up beside him, feeling his presence, was a source of profound happiness, a stark contrast to the icy loneliness that had characterized her previous existence.
• He stirred as she moved, his eyes fluttering open, revealing the familiar warmth of his gaze. A slow smile spread across his face, a smile that reached his eyes and crinkled the corners, a smile that held the promise of a new day, a day filled with the promise of shared joy. "Good morning, my love," he murmured, his voice husky with sleep.
• "Good morning," she replied, her voice soft, tinged with the contentment that settled deep within her soul. She nestled closer to him, relishing the warmth of his body against hers, the feeling of security and belonging that had once seemed unattainable.