[Clara's POV]
Morning arrived quietly, pale light spilling through the curtains.
Clara lay awake long before she needed to, staring at the ceiling while Nathaniel slept beside her. His arm was draped over her waist, relaxed but present, as if even in sleep he was aware of her. She focused on the steady rhythm of his breathing, the warmth of him anchoring her to the bed.
And still, the feeling wouldn't go away.
That subtle, crawling sense beneath her skin. Like something was wrong—but just out of reach.
She shifted slightly, careful not to wake him. Nathaniel stirred anyway, blinking blearily before tightening his arm around her.
"Morning," he murmured.
"Morning," she replied softly.
He leaned down and pressed a kiss into her hair, lingering there for a moment before pulling back with a sigh. "I have to go in today," he said regretfully. "Meetings all day. I'll be back tonight."
She nodded, trying to smile. "I know. I've got the day off anyway."
