The soft morning light crept into the room, casting a golden hue on the peaceful faces of the three who lay tangled in quiet sleep.
Adrian stirred first.
He blinked slowly, adjusting to the light. His arm was still around Ethan, but his fingers… they were intertwined with Sophia's.
He didn't pull away.
He just stared at the woman beside him—the way a single lock of hair fell over her cheek, how her lips parted slightly as she breathed. Peaceful. Beautiful. Familiar.
Too familiar.
Sophia opened her eyes, groggy from sleep, and immediately realized her hand was still in his. She froze.
So did he.
"Morning," he said softly.
"Morning," she replied, her voice barely a whisper.
Ethan rolled over between them and groaned. "Can we skip school today?"
They both laughed quietly, a sound that hadn't existed between them in years.
Sophia tucked the blanket around Ethan and sat up. "I'll get breakfast."
Adrian stood as well. "I'll help."
---
As they finished breakfast, Adrian grabbed his coffee and leaned against the kitchen counter. "I'll check Ethan's bag before school."
Sophia nodded, placing her mug in the sink. "And I'll pack his lunch."
Their movements around the kitchen had an unexpected rhythm—like a family. For a moment, it felt like the past five years hadn't happened. Just morning chores, shared smiles, and quiet glances.
That night's warmth hadn't faded. It lingered in their eyes, in the subtle gestures they exchanged.
They didn't say it—but they both felt it.
Something had shifted.
Not just between them… but inside them.