I barely slept.
Every time I closed my eyes, I remembered the previous night and the choices I had made. By morning, regret had settled so deeply inside me that I couldn’t tell whether I wanted to cry or pretend nothing had happened.
I showered, changed, and went downstairs, hoping an ordinary morning might help me forget.
Daniel was already in the kitchen.
He looked up from his coffee and smiled. “Good morning, Riley. You look exhausted.”
“Good morning.”
“Rough night?”
I opened the refrigerator, pretending to search for something. “I didn’t sleep well.”
“Really?” He leaned against the counter. “I thought you had plenty of company.”
I turned toward him sharply. “Keep your voice down.”
His smile widened. “Relax. Nobody is listening.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Then stop looking so
