I moved away from the door slowly, like my body hadn’t caught up with my mind yet. My hands were still shaking when I placed my laptop back on the reading table by the window.
I grabbed one of my books from the stack and climbed onto the bed, opening it to a random page. I didn’t even read the words. I just needed to look busy. Normal.
My heart wouldn’t calm down.
It kept beating too fast, too loud, like it was afraid someone else could hear it.
I forced myself to breathe slowly, counting in my head.
Then—
A knock.
Sharp. Solid.
I flinched so hard the book slipped from my fingers and landed on the bed. My chest tightened instantly. For half a second, I couldn’t move.
Another knock followed.
I swallowed and pushed myself up, my legs unsteady as I crossed the room. I reached for t
