Claire’s POV
A grin is how I find myself waking before the alarm, the room still dim, holding on to Jeremy’s lingering warmth like a secret it doesn’t want to give up. His side of the bed is empty, sheets smoothed down with that careful habit of his, the kind that suggests a man who likes to leave things orderly even when his thoughts aren’t. I lie there for a moment longer than necessary, listening to the quiet hum of the city waking up beyond the windows, and letting myself breathe with joy and fulfillment inside me.
For the first time in a long time, my life feels almost ceremonial.
An hour later, I stand in front of the wardrobe longer than I need to, fingers brushing fabrics, selecting a soft cream blouse, structured enough to feel composed, loose enough to let me breathe. High-wai
