Chapter 48 Petals And Poison

• The dawn light filtered through the colonnade of marble pillars, painting the rose garden in soft gold. Scarlett sat on the stone bench dedicated to Emily and Clarisse, Damien at her side. He reached for her hand, warm and steady.
• “It’s quiet here,” he said, voice low. “After everything… this feels like a sanctuary.”
• Scarlett leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. “A moment of peace.” She traced the carved names on the backrest. “I never thought we’d see another sunrise without fear.”