(Kieran)
I woke up before Sloane.
The room was quiet. Outside the city had not fully started yet. I lay there for a moment listening to her breathe. Even and deep the way it always was when she finally let herself rest.
This was her first morning waking up here as someone who lived here. Not staying over. Not a bag packed for tomorrow. Here. Her clothes in the wardrobe. Her things in the bathroom. All of it where she had put it last night.
I got up carefully and went downstairs.
Maria had already been. Coffee was on and something covered on the stove for later. I poured a cup and stood at the island and thought about what needed to happen today.
David had been clear. Right order. Restraining order first. Then the hospital HR process. Then the criminal referral. Do not move too fast a
