Destiny's POV
The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, warm and golden, but it did nothing to settle the storm in my head.
Leo's words from earlier still played on a loop in my mind.
"You're more important to him than you think."
I didn't know what to make of it. I didn't know how to quiet the flutter in my chest every time I thought of Red.
I walked back into the house, still half-lost in thought. The familiar scent of brewed coffee and the lingering hint of citrus shampoo told me Lela was up and moving. The house felt awake—but a part of me still wasn't.
Lela was standing near the mirror in the hallway, adjusting the collar of her uniform. Her makeup was already done, hair pulled up in a messy but elegant bun. She turned when she saw me, a sheepish smile tugging at her lips.
"Hey," she said. "I wanted to let you know—I won't be around for dinner later. I… sort of have a date after my shift at the hotel."
